Pride a Stumbling Block
“Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
~ Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)
You would think that, at my age, I would know that pride can become a stumbling block. My dad always used Proverbs 16:18 as a warning. He was right! Case and point?
Last week at work I felt really good about myself and how fast I had learned a new task to complete on a weekly basis. Until Friday. On Friday my pride caught up with me. I made a major mistake. Instead of using the year 2016, I accidentally keyed the year 2019.
Yes, it was a true keying mistake. However, this mistake could have lingered for 3 years if it would not have been discovered by one of my co-workers. Yikes! 3 years is a long time.
But instead of defending the mistake with “we are all human”, I faced my mistake head-on. I wrote an email on Monday apologizing for the mistake, and my plan to rectify the issue.
It is very humbling to admit to mistakes, but it is the right (honest) thing to do.
Now, Nebuchadnezzar had a few things to say about pride. He too was prideful in his own accomplishments. He too was humbled at the end:
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
~ Daniel 4:37 (ESV)
Honestly, pride does not pay. Pride can get us in trouble. So, next time you feel pride rise up in you, praise God for His work through you.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
Lord of heaven and earth. Thank You for the reminder that pride can become a stumbling block. Help me to not become prideful, but praise You for Your work in my life. I am trusting in Your mercy. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen!
Amen! This is so true, Iris. I’m thankful for God’s humbling. It makes me think twice when I begin to get prideful.
Isn’t that the truth, Bernadine. Yesterday I had rain in again my tongue when I started to a “yay me session”.
very true.