Surrender That Stubborn Pride

 Stubbornness has been both praised and criticized throughout history. Some people take pride in their stubbornness. Karl Jung, the Swiss psychologist, wrote, "I regret the foolish mistakes that sprang from my stubbornness, but without that trait I would have never reached my goal." Stubbornness can keep us on track while we’re pressing on toward worthy goals.

Sophocles, the Greek dramatist expressed another view in his play Antigone: "Stubbornness and stupidity are twins," but some people believe stubbornness protects their fragile self-esteem. In truth, stubbornness can be a huge obstacle to overcome while seeking and receiving forgiveness. How easy is it to give in to pride, even when knowing it’s a glaring mistake?

However, obstacles can be turned into opportunity. Obstacles can be challenged head-on by refusing to give in to real and artificial barriers and by asking God for courage and wisdom to grant and receive forgiveness. You can surrender your stubborn pride to Christ, who will sufficiently enable you with the strength to overcome it. 

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You stubborn and hardhearted people! You are always fighting against the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors did.

~Acts 7:51 Contemporary English Version

Too much pride can put you to shame. It’s wiser to be humble.

~Proverbs 11:2 Contemporary English Version

Then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. I will listen, wide awake, to every prayer made in this place.

~2 Chronicles 7:14-15 The Living Bible

Living with God's Favor

There was a side of Elvis Presley that struggled to be in favor with Jesus Christ. While doing a concert at the University of Notre Dame, a group of women students held a huge banner that proclaimed, “Elvis is king.” He stopped the band and after looking at the banner responded by saying, “No, I'm not the king. Jesus Christ is the King.” 

   

Early on, the adulation of the fans was an obstacle that prevented Elvis from being himself. But it appears that he knew better than to let fans exalt him beyond who he was, a man with many flaws. On this occasion, the obstacle became an opportunity to express his faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Elvis faced another obstacle on the Ed Sullivan show when he wanted to sing ‘Peace in the Valley’. The producers objected but he insisted. He had promised his mother he would sing the song for her. Once again, he turned an obstacle into an opportunity to witness his faith. Although obstacles will surface, with God's help they can become opportunities. 

Overcoming Obstacles

On his way to getting everything he wanted, Jacob encountered obstacles that brought his life to a dead end. It's important to realize God is not against your getting what you want if it doesn’t conflict with His moral and spiritual values. Jacob had consistently violated God’s principals and guidelines for living.

Although Jacob failed to get away with lying and cheating, the crisis it produced became an opportunity to change his life. This was his chance to turn an obstacle into an opportunity for a wonderful future. Jacob dreamed God would bless and protect him and give him the land that would become Israel as it’s defined today.

Another obstacle Jacob faced was separating from his mother, for he was his mother’s favorite son. God proposed a plan for Jacob to live under His protection rather than his mother’s care until Jacob was responsible and mature enough to act like a man. Can you see yourself living under God’s protection? It can be yours by committing your life to him.