How Are Pride and Humility Incompatible?

Humility is often perceived as meekness, which means it is seen as a weakness rather than a strength. This common usage of meekness is negative, for it portrays a person as weak. In the worst sense it implies lack of courage to stand up for yourself.

Pride can be thought of as a strength or weakness. Pride can be a strength when balanced with the awareness that all you are and have are blessings from God. Being proud of your children, a home, and career is okay when balanced with thanksgiving to God for his provision.

Humility is a strength if it insures we never forget that our strengths are insufficient for long-term success. Saul, God’s chosen King of Israel, failed to honor God by refusing to humble himself and follow God’s calling and boundaries. 

Refuse to permit the cares of life to turn you away from God’s insight and wisdom that he offers you for balancing your strengths and weaknesses. You can remain faithful to God’s calling with the faith and strength he willingly offers you.                               

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He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

~Isaiah 40:29 New International Version

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Becoming a "Somebody" for God

A new beginning can be exciting simply because there's something to look forward to that's different. Still, the prospect of change can arouse so much anxiety and resistance that the idea for change is discarded. When God called Moses to deliver the Hebrew people from Egypt, he surely believed it was a good thing.

However, when Moses realized the complexities and dangers involved, his excitement was replaced with fear and worry. He protested with, "I'm a nobody. How can I go up against the Pharaoh of Egypt?" Moses failed to realize what he could be and do when he was empowered by the very presence of God himself.

God asked Moses to give up a secure shepherd’s life of simplicity and peace for what would be a life-changing experience. When the "Great I Am," the God of all creation, is with you to guide and empower you, a new beginning can be approached with certainty of accomplishment and peace, even when encountering life's worst storms. 

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He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

~Isaiah 40:29 English Standard Version

 

Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you.

~John 14:16 Contemporary English Version

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