Earlier today I was reflecting on how humility breeds unity among believers. If I’m honest, pride gets the best of me more often than I’d like to admit. I believe that God is sanctifying us to look more like Christ day by day, but there’s still a part of me that thinks my struggle with pride will remain on this side of eternity.
The thing about pride is that it can manifest in sneaky ways. What we might think is a fleeting thought or simple emotion could be a festering wound. I have plenty of examples of pride turning into other sin struggles in my life recently.
Comparison to Others
One of these struggles is comparison to others. I’m a single woman in my late 20s, and I desire to be married one day. A couple of weeks ago, I caught myself throwing a pretty gnarly pity party because a couple of my single friends started dating right after a dating relationship ended for me. Now, I know that it’s okay to share my raw and honest emotions with God. But when it turns into comparing my life to others and using what they have as a standard of a success, I think my heart needs to be redirected.
Pride is the root issue because I think I deserve what others have. I think I know better than what God has for me in this season. Ouch! It’s not fun to admit these things out loud, but it helps me see what’s truly going on in my heart under the thoughts and feelings. After admitting these feelings to God and others, I recognized that I needed to be reminded that God is sovereign over my life and has given me all I need in Christ (Philippians 4:19). Yes, He hears my cries and longs to fulfill the desires of my heart, but part of Him being God and me being His child is surrendering what I think is best for me to Him. In humility, we freely celebrate others.
Insecurity
Another example is insecurity. I remember listening to a Christian podcast in college that talked about pride being the root of insecurity. It was the first time I had considered this truth, but it deeply resonated with me. Every few months, I find myself wrestling with insecurity. Most of the time, it has to do with my job. We so easily identify with what we do for work, and we can find our worth in what we do and how we do it.
About a month ago, I learned about upcoming changes at work. My initial response was fear and anxiety because I was worried about whether I’ll be able to measure up to others’ new expectations of me. I shared these thoughts and feelings with my manager, and she was quick to redirect me to what’s true. God is the One going before me in making these changes. As things change, so can I (by the power of the Spirit in me). Others’ approval of me does not define me, but rather the truest thing about me always is and always will be my identity in Christ. In humility, we can rest secure in who God is and who we are in light of Christ’s righteousness on our behalf (Colossians 3:3).
If you’re anything like me, fighting pride is a daily battle. I’m so thankful that our sin doesn’t define us. God has given us His Word and His Spirit to help us navigate life.
Our SOAP passage today reminds us of what the Lord requires of us. “Carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God” (Micah 6:8). Walking humbly with God is not easy. Our hearts, the world, and the enemy will try to deter us. But there is so much joy and freedom in remaining humble with the Lord. I’ve been fervently asking the Lord to grow me in humility as I faithfully walk with Him. Will you join me? I’m confident God will transform our hearts and lives as we draw near to Him.
