Pride, Anxiety and Fear
The Preoccupation With Self
I have 2 precious and beautiful grandbabies. I think they're pretty perfect but Scripture tells us that we are all born preoccupied with ourselves. If you don't believe this, go to any daycare and watch all the toddlers saying, "NO!".
The preoccupation with self that continues throughout our life cycle is called pride. I'd like to say that I'm not prideful, but recent events have convicted and convinced me that I am. I need to address this between myself and God.
We hear a lot about the fact that pride was the downfall of Satan. But, pride was also the downfall of Adam and Eve. It was their pride that prompted them to eat of that forbidden fruit. That pride said in essence, "Hey, I am smart. I can make my own decisions. Why shouldn't I do this?" That fatal decision has affected every human since then.
Scripture frequently describes our human tendency towards sin and pride as being "in Adam". 1 Cor. 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
I'd like to think that my deepest desire is to rid myself of pride. But, if I truly wanted to, I'd be much further along in this process than I am right now. A better way to say it is that I want to rid myself of this prideful attitude of mine. The Apostle Paul addressed this in Rom. 7:15, "For what I will to do, that I do not practice and what I hate, that I do."
He nailed it! You see, pride has seethed into humanity from that original sin and pride has affected my spiritual health. That unhealthy spirit will not be completely fixed until I'm in heaven with the Lord.
We do a lot of talk about peace. Every person reading this post would probably say that they definitely want peace in their lives. But, I am realizing that there is a distinct connection between my pride, my peace and the preoccupation with myself.
When I submit to the authority of God it brings peace into my heart. However, giving into pride means that I am self-preoccupied, which affects my peace.
I ask God to take me and mold me into the person that He wants me to be. In order to do that I must intentionally tune in to my own tendencies towards pride. The opposite of pride is humility. I have a humility problem. You can ask my husband and my children, and they will definitely confirm this.
1 Pet. 5:5b-7 "....clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."
Something has occurred to me over time. Many of my clients have anxiety that is linked to pride. But, until recently, I haven't connected the dots between my own anxiety and my pride.
This morning, I pray for myself to do better, to be better, and to submit to the will of God. His will, not mine.
You may also like to read End Time Signs.
