Today’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 30:1-31:31
“Wow! I love hanging out with Judy (fictional name)! I always feel so smart and together after our visits!”
Sometimes we compare ourselves to others and walk away feeling downright good about ourselves. Sometimes, we leave one of our friends have a week-long pity party because we’re not like them.
Yes, we need to take time to count our blessings and Yes, the Bible tells us that friends sharpen us like iron (Proverbs 27:17) but there are better ways to do that than gloating on the weaknesses of others or feeling like our friends are so superior they are doing us a favor by speaking to us.
Today I saw a comparison in Proverbs 30:1-6 that needs to happen often in my life.
I…
- Am Weary
- Am Worn out
- Am To stupid to be human
- Lack Common Sense
- Have not mastered human wisdom
- Don’t know the Holy One
But God…
- Goes up to heaven and comes back down
- Holds the wind in his fists
- Wraps the ocean in his cloak
- Has created the whole wide world
- Proves His every word to be true
- Is a shield to all who come to him for protection
Friends, it’s okay to lose this comparison game.
Throughout God’s Word we see the sin of pride causing the most noble and godly to fall. I know it has been my biggest struggle in my life.
You may be thinking, “I” don’t have a pride problem.
You may not, but here’s are 10 questions to help you do a pride checkup:
- Are you controlling?
- Are you judgmental?
- Are you insecure?
- Do you always have to be right?
- Do you love to argue, always need the last word?
- Have problems listening?
- Are you irritable and impatient?
- Hate being corrected?
- Do you feel life is really “all about you?”
- Are you constantly comparing yourself to others?
I have and sometimes continue to struggle with these ten “pride” symptoms. God has used “life” to work on me. I’m not where I want to be but thanks be to God I’m not where I was.
If we continually remind ourselves of the vastness of our God and the smallness and frailty of our life and being, we won’t have time to compare ourselves to others and we won’t have anything to be “proud” about.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for seeing myself superior to others. Forgive me for seeing myself below others. Show me the areas of pride in my life. Continually remind me of how I compare to You, so I can forget about me and know You more and help others to know You too!
In Jesus Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 42-46
