You may have noticed that I didn't ask a question about whether we struggle with pride here. The fact of the matter is, at some point or another, each of us can identify a time or place where we experience pride, but not in a good way. We elevated ourselves above the people around us, or ignored the advice of those wiser or more experienced, or simply thinking to ourselves "I wouldn't have made THAT mistake." So the question isn't "Do I struggle with pride?" but "Where might I struggle with pride?" When we rephrase the question, we find ourselves looking for opportunities to change the way we respond in those situations where we are vulnerable to prideful thoughts and actions. So I found a small list of statements that finish the phrase, "I might struggle with pride if..." Try to be honest and feel free to interact in the comments.
I might struggle with pride if...
1. I assume I already know something when someone is trying to teach me
2. I see myself as too valuable or important to perform certain tasks
3. I am reluctant to ask others for help
4. I am constantly correcting or trying to teach people things (outside of an actual student/teacher relationship)
5. I tend to take someone else's story and turn the conversation into a story about myself
6. I tend to dismiss the advice of others before genuinely considering it
7. I am consistently critical of the people around me
8. I am constantly seeking attention and affirmation from the people around me (fishing for compliments)
9. I struggle to receive constructive criticism more than normal
10. I find myself unwilling to submit to authority, or the one in charge
While challenging, I hope that you will find these statements thought provoking. Take a moment to pray, asking God to open your eyes to where you struggle. Then do a self-evaluation using these concepts.
I might struggle with pride if...
1. I assume I already know something when someone is trying to teach me
2. I see myself as too valuable or important to perform certain tasks
3. I am reluctant to ask others for help
4. I am constantly correcting or trying to teach people things (outside of an actual student/teacher relationship)
5. I tend to take someone else's story and turn the conversation into a story about myself
6. I tend to dismiss the advice of others before genuinely considering it
7. I am consistently critical of the people around me
8. I am constantly seeking attention and affirmation from the people around me (fishing for compliments)
9. I struggle to receive constructive criticism more than normal
10. I find myself unwilling to submit to authority, or the one in charge
While challenging, I hope that you will find these statements thought provoking. Take a moment to pray, asking God to open your eyes to where you struggle. Then do a self-evaluation using these concepts.
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