Dealing With Issues of Pride–I’m Trying!

 

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PRIDE

Oftentimes we talk of having pride in ourselves and not feeling negative about who we are as black people.  But what we actually are talking about  is having proper self-esteem.  Pride on the other hand, is a negative emotion.  A prideful person actually lacks  self-esteem and over compensates with pridefulness.   

Now who would want the burden of pridefulness?  Are we able to discern whether we may have any issues of pride?  And if so would we admit them to ourselves?   An overbearing prideful person is an underdeveloped person.  Pridefulness  doesn’t allow one to develop proper relationships because the victim is so busy exalting himself  at others’ expense.  The prideful one ends up isolating herself, which can further diminishes her self esteem. 

Here’s a list of attitudes of pride–from the aggressive personality to the timid personality.  Yes, even a timid person can be prideful.   Nancy Leigh DeMoss has created a nice long list of the attitudes of pridefulness and I was compelled to check myself.  Yes I got a few issues to deal with, but I’d rather know the truth and work to correct those issues than to continue on blindly living a lie and diminishing the quality of my life!    How about you?

 

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

1.  Do you look down on those who are less educated, less affluent, less refined, or less successful than yourself?

2.  Do you think of yourself as more spiritual than your mate, others in your church?

3.  Do you have a judgmental spirit toward those who don’t make the same lifestyle choices you do . . . dress standards, how you school your kids, entertainment standards, etc.?

4.  Are you quick to find fault with others and to verbalize those thoughts to others? Do you have a sharp, critical tongue?

5.  Do you frequently correct or criticize your mate, your pastor, or other people in positions of leadership (teachers, youth director, etc.)?

6.  Do you give undue time, attention, and effort to your physical appearance—hair, make-up, clothing, weight, body shape, avoiding appearance of aging?

7.  Are you proud of the schedule you keep, how disciplined you are, how much you are able to accomplish?

8.  Are you driven to receive approval, praise, or acceptance from others?

9.  Are you argumentative?

10.  Do you generally think your way is the right way, the only way, or the best way?

11.  Do you have a touchy, sensitive spirit? Easily offended? Get your feelings hurt easily?

12.  Are you guilty of pretense? Trying to leave a better impression of yourself than is really true? (Would the people at church be shocked if they knew what you  were like at home?)

13.  Do you have a hard time admitting when you are wrong?

14.  Do you have a hard time confessing your sin to God or others? (not just in generalities but specifics)

15.  Do you have a hard time sharing your real spiritual needs/struggles with others?

16.  Do you have a hard time praying aloud with others?

17.  Are you excessively shy?

18.  Do you have a hard time reaching out and being friendly to people you don’t know at church?

19.  Do you resent being asked or expected to serve your family, your parents, or others?

20.  Do you become defensive when you are criticized or corrected?

21.  Are you a perfectionist? Do you get irked or impatient with people who aren’t?

22.  Do you tend to be controlling—of your mate, your children, friends, those in your workplace?

23.  Do you frequently interrupt people when they are speaking?

24.  Does your husband feel intimidated by your “spirituality”?

25.  Does your husband feel like he can never measure up to your expectations of what it means to be a good husband, spiritual leader, etc.?

26.  Do you often complain—about the weather, your health, your circumstances, your job, your church?

27.  Do you talk about yourself too much?

28.  Are you more concerned about your problems, needs, burdens than about others’ concerns?

29.  Do you worry about what others think of you? Too concerned about your reputation or your family’s reputation?

30.  Do you neglect to express gratitude for “little things”? To God? To others?

31.  Do you neglect prayer and intake of the Word?

32.  Do you get hurt if your accomplishments/or acts of service are not recognized or rewarded?

33.  Do you get hurt if your feelings or opinions are not considered when your mate or your boss is making a decision or if you are not informed when a change or decision is made?

34.  Do you react to rules? Do you have a hard time being told what to do?

35.  Are you self-conscious because of your lack of education or natural beauty, or your socio-economic status?

36.  Do you avoid participating in certain events, for fear of being embarrassed or looking foolish?

37.  Do you avoid being around certain people because you feel inferior compared to them/don’t feel you measure up?

38.  Are you uncomfortable inviting people to your home because you don’t think it’s nice enough or you can’t afford to do lavish entertaining?

39.  Is it hard for you to let others know when you need help (practical or spiritual)?

40.  When is the last time you said these words to a family member, friend, or co-worker: “I was wrong; would you please forgive me?” (If it’s been more than a month, mark it down!)

41.  Are you sitting here thinking how many of these questions apply to someone you know? Feeling pretty good that none of these things really apply to you?

© Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com Info@ReviveOurHearts.com

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