Destructive Pride

Pride goes before destruction,and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

What a sober, serious, and important warning this is for us, dear sisters.

Pride is an overrated opinion of oneself. It is thinking you are always right or better or more important than someone else.

So how does this attitude cause destruction? Well, it does destroy relationships. Pride treats others like their feelings or wishes or opinions don’t matter; only your feelings and wishes and opinions matter.

Pride can destroy our marriages. Ladies, we can start thinking and treating our husbands like they can’t do anything right or say anything right. Lest we don’t recognize how we communicate this, let me give you three signals we sometimes use to them.

• “Fine.” We say, “Fine,” to end an argument. This is our signal we are right, and they need to shut up.
• Loud sigh. This is actually a word. A loud sigh means you consider them hopeless, and you have given up on them.
• We can use the words “I’ll do it myself.” This means that only we can do it right.

Yes, “Pride goes before destruction” because “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody gonna be happy.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Conflict in relationships is inevitable. It’s what we do with it that matters. Here are some good guidelines.

• Don’t be sarcastic or exaggerate. How do you like it when someone does that? You don’t. So don’t.
• Timing—don’t start a serious discussion when you are tired, hungry, or in a hurry.
• Chose a place to talk that is comfortable for both of you. If you are in a public place, don’t make a scene.
• Remember the goal is not to trump the other person. The goal is resolution. Keep aiming at the goal. Build some positive, affirming statements into your conversation.
• Admit your mistakes. Sincerely apologize.
• Try to find a win-win you both can live with.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Samuel 20:14–21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18