Frustrated? Ever Wonder Why?

Frustrated? Ever wonder why? 

James 4:6 says, “Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” This scripture literally means that God sets himself against or battles those who are proud and shows kindness to those who are humble. Wow! So the proud are fighting against God himself. Yet, pride comes so easily. While everything that we have in this world was given to us by God, if we are not on guard, we will become high-minded – exalting ourselves. This is sin and God hates it.(Proverbs 6:16-19)

One day I arrived at work to find an empty ink pen box on my desk. I instantly got angry. Cussing under my breath and rolling my eyes, I picked up the box and flung it in the garbage. “Who left this box on my desk; I am not a maid,” I remember thinking. Then, almost immediately I felt the sweet prompting of the Holy Spirit. I was convicted of my bad attitude and my prideful spirit. A short while later, my co-worker and friend stopped by my desk. He shared that he placed the pen box on my desk. He was rushing and did not have time to leave a note and knew I would understand. Oh how wrong he was! Then he humbly asked if I would order more pens.”Of course,” I said – feeling like a complete idiot. 

Pride has no place in the heart of a Christian. It is ugly in the sight of the Lord and He will resist the proud but give grace to the humble. Friends, are you easily offended? If so, you may be harboring pride? See, humble people do not get offended. Why? Because the humble are more concerned about others than they are about themselves. Jesus Christ is our example. He did not go around announcing that He was God. He intermingled with people from all walks of life. His goal was to draw men and women to God and He did it with lovingkindness. Jesus’s anger was Godly anger and his motive was love. See, God deals with us with patient love and He requires us to do the same. We are all God’s children and He has no respect of persons. (Romans 2:11-16). 

The question above is just one that you can use to do a heart check? Here are a few others: 

1. Do you get angry easily?
2. Is it hard for you to be truly happy for others when they are honored and praised?
3. When someone else is honored, do you immediately compare yourself to him or her or wonder why no one has said that of you yet?
4. Do you go above and beyond with the secret hope that those around you will notice and publicly praise you?
5. When someone “less spiritual” or younger than you is honored, are you eaten up with jealousy?
6. Do you long to be a teacher, pastor, worship leader, or in full time ministry so that you can be looked up to or have people underneath you?
7. Would you be content if you knew God had called you to a lifetime of service behind the scenes or would you secretly always want something more?
8. Do you forsake the unseen spiritual disciplines in your life (prayer, serving your family or roommates, self-discipline while you are alone)?
9. Do you often think about how others will view you if you do or don’t do something?
10. Do you look for moments in conversation to tell others about your spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting, giving, sharing the gospel, etc)? Or do you regularly share about these things on social media?
11. Do you spend more time seeking God (in prayer, Bible reading, worshipping, etc) when you are with others than when you are alone?

Friends, if you said yes to any of these questions, you may be harboring pride. I must admit when I first read them, it was like a gut punch. Similar response? Go to God in prayer. Confess your sins and ask God for forgiveness. Then pray for humbling. The Bible says if we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Friends, you cannot hide from God. He already knows your heart posture. Give it to Him and allow Him to clean you up. He is willing and able. 

I would love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected] or simply go to my contact us page. 

For God’s glory, 

Tahnee