A Mother’s Pride

As Christians, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who exemplified humility throughout his life. Humility is the opposite of pride, which is a sinful and destructive attitude that leads to arrogance and a sense of self-importance. The Bible teaches us that we should humble ourselves and show humility instead of pride in our own accomplishments, and manage our pride through Godly character and wisdom.

In Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT), the Apostle Paul writes, "Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." This passage reminds us that humility involves putting the needs and interests of others before our own. It requires us to have a servant's heart and a willingness to serve others.

James 4:6 (NLT) says, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." This verse teaches us that pride is not something that God approves of or condones. On the contrary, God opposes those who are proud and exalted in their own eyes. To receive God's favor, we must humble ourselves before Him and acknowledge our dependence on Him.

Managing our pride through Godly character and wisdom involves being mindful of our thoughts and attitudes. Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) warns us, "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall." This passage reminds us that pride can lead to disastrous consequences if we allow it to consume us. Instead, we should seek to cultivate Godly character traits such as love, kindness, and humility.

One example of an acceptable expression of pride is a mother's pride in her children. Proverbs 31:28 (NLT) says, "Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: 'There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!'" This passage acknowledges the pride and joy that a mother feels when her children achieve success and recognition. However, even in this context, it is important for mothers to remain humble and recognize that their children's accomplishments are ultimately a result of God's grace and blessings.

In conclusion, we should strive to humble ourselves and thereby avoid the pitfalls of arrogance and self-importance. While there are acceptable expressions of pride, we must always remain mindful of God's sovereignty and recognize that all good things come from Him.