Breaking Free Week 3- The Obstacle of Pride

This was a deep day for me. After doing the homework for this day, I remembered the Beth Moore, So Long Insecurity Book. When we first think of pride, we think of arrogance, right? Of course, people who are prideful think they are better than everybody else. Well, that is not me... I am good on this pride thing. If I am being honest, I can tell you this has been one area where I have always thought... nope not me. I may struggle with stuff, but this isn't one of them. Let me just tell you... God has a way of humbling us doesn't he? And that is clearly what he did.
All my life, I have struggled with insecurity, feelings of rejection, and comparing myself and my talents to others. I have always been insecure about my weight, my looks, my talents, and my relationships. I am one of those approval addicts. If someone doesn't like me, I can obsess myself over the big WHY word. All along, I had no idea that I was really dealing with a bigger issue... pride. While reading her book ( if you haven't, get out there and get it... amazing!), Beth clearly shows that arrogance and insecurity share one common denominator... pride. When people are arrogant, you may hear: " I am wonderful", " I am amazing at this" , " Look at all I can do". When people are insecure, you may here..." I am lacking in this", " I can't seem to measure up" , " I am awful at this", " I hate my body, I hate my appearance". Both situations, one word seems to bring itself up and that is "I". The denominator is self absorbtion. That is what pride is. It is setting ourselves up on a throne where only God belongs. When I am worried about my appearance or my abilities, it usually is always because I crave affirmation or admiration... and that is just not who I want to be. Through out this study, I am constantly asking God to reveal places in my life where this is present. Ladies, this is the area where pride is present in me. If I truly look at this correctly, the one that needs esteeming is not me, I need to esteem my God and give him my affirmation and my admiration. Father, I need you to renew my mind. I found a poem today from Beth Moore that speaks on pride... and a song.

"My Name is Pride" by Beth Moore

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny…

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment…

because you “deserve better than this.”

I cheat you of knowledge…

because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing…

because you are too full of you to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness…

because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.

I cheat you of vision…

because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship…

because nobody’s going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love…

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven…

because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.

I cheat you of God’s glory…

because I convinced you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I’m looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…

If you stick with me you’ll never know.

Song: