In what ways can pride be healthy or appropriate? - Pride - TouchPoints

Romans 15:17So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God.

We can feel genuine satisfaction for what God has done through us. Notice that Paul was proud not of what he had accomplished on his own but of what God had accomplished through him.

Jeremiah 9:23-24This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

1 Corinthians 1:30-31God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5:12-13Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, . . . it is to bring glory to God.

Like Paul, if we take pride in anything, we ought to take pride in the God we serve. We should always keep the spotlight on God’s saving mercy and grace toward us.

Galatians 6:14As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.

Pride is appropriate when it causes us to be grateful to God for his gifts. When we look at our spouse, or children, or talents and our heart wells up with gratitude to God, he is pleased. Then our focus is on him and not on ourselves.