Pride
Pride has many faces.
Stubborness is the pride tt causes us to shun correction. It renders us unable to to stop defendin ourselves.
Judgmentalism is the pride tt moves us to critize rather than to serve.
Competitiveness is the pride tt makes us not only want to be just smart and wealthy, but smarter and wealthier than those around us.
Self-centeredness is the pride tt keeps us living in a tiny universe where there is only room for one person.
It is often pride tt keeps us from acceptin our limitations and weaknesses.
Some time ago, I had a run of too much travel, to many meetings, too many talks, and I was fatigued. I expressed this to a friend, lookin for some sympathy. He surprised me by askin why I choose to live like this. the onli honest ans was tt, more than anything else, I was runnin on grandiosity (grandiose- plans tt sound v imprt/impressive but will never realli happen becos they are not practical.) I was afraid that if I declined opportunities, they wld stop comin, and if opportunities stopped comin, I wld be less impt, and if I were less impt, tt wld be terrible. I didn’t wan to admit my limitations. I didnt wan to admit my need for rest.
At the deepest level, pride is the choice to exclude both God and ther people from their rightful places in our heart. Jesus said tt the essence of spiritual life is to love God and to love people. Pride destroys our capacity to love. It leads us to exclude rather than embrace.
Heres some of the actions/attitudes with act. interestin possible hidden prides. Take
UR pick ya 
I’m a person of conviction n principle– I noe I’m right. I hate it when people challenge or correct me.
I see very clearly where those ard me need impronement– Others are never good enough for me; it’s easier to criticize than to serve.
I’m competitive– I’m not happy if I’m not better than others.
I choose carefully who I spend time with– I don’t like to be ard ppl who are difficult, draining, or diff from me.
I’m often overscheduled and have a hard time sayin no– I like to be seen as a person who can ‘do it all’.
I’m independent by nature– I can’t depend on anyone; I don’t need others.
- reading adapted from a msg by John Ortberg
