Proverbs 8:13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs 16:18, 19 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
Daniel 4:37 . . . those who walk in pride HE is able to humble.
Amazing isn’t it how someone elses pride can cause us to also act prideful? God hates pride, so why would I want that? I don’t. After re-evaluating all that is going on in my life, God has been very faithful to show me a different picture. First my hurt and anger are only pride, and it needs to die. Everything is about HIM! So once removing myself from this picture, all that is in front of me is my cross.
Luke 9:23 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.
Think we forget the daily part. . .sometimes we think we already did that, and Father God says “do it some more”. I am not going to pretend to know HIS ways, or to ever try to describe HIM as HE is so far beyond my brain power, but I know HIS word is truth, and I know selecting HIS way is hard to do sometimes, but once it is chosen, there is nothing better. I would rather sit with the oppressed, than take plunder with the prideful. People (in general) have decided that kindness is weakness, and that is so very far from the truth. Today I choose forgiveness, I want nothing between HIM and I. I choose joy! I choose to love! I choose to pick up my cross and keep moving on this road, actually this cross is lighter than than carrying all that grief!
Message to HUBS (praise365)-Baby you are an Overcomer, and a miracle just like me, Isn’t God so good?? Love you, love me need Jesus. ❤
ponderings of a princess... 
Loving Jesus is kind of like loving our spouse. Mama knows I love her, I told her that when we got married! But ya know, she still likes to hear it every once in awhile! Mama, I love you. Oh yes, Jesus I love you too!
“So once removing myself from this picture, all that is in front of me is my cross. ”
this goes back to the simplicity of things. but sometimes, the simplest of things are the hardest to do. we need each other so desperately to walk this journey arm in arm, locked in love – locked in the Spirit, to hold one another up.
Darla, this post could easily get published IMO. This is really, really good!
Hey Darla,
Great topic! I recently wrote a paper for school (and posted it last night) and basically my subject was to reflect the ugliness and beauty of the heart. The truth is, is that there is so much gunk in there that it’s hard to get it all cleaned out. God can do what we cant do though. Thank God for those “house cleaning” moments of our hearts to rid ourselves of all the build up.
Papa- you always make me smile! look forward to what you have to say!
TAM!-You are very right about us needing each other to walk arm in arm and to help eachother up..I am blessed to have you to walk this road with me, and even more incredible is your story is so much like mine that I believe you may be a huge answer to prayer for me..I really just wanted to know someone else, that God worked in like myself..HE knew that!
Gretch- girl I keep trying to post a comment on your blog, and I get a failure notice in my email..how strange..I will keep trying..do you have any clues as to why that happens..I know I am not blocked, but maybe I am in your spam…loved your paper you wrote…very good!!
That is so true sister. I was just dealing with my own pride issues. I finally forgave and I am moving on. You are right when you say the cross is lighter then all the burdens we carry. I was thinking the other day, how my body reacts to worry and unpset. The body is such an awesome creation of the Lord. He made it so fine tuned that it react to certain stresses and such. I am amazed at the Lord. God bless you. You hit some truth today. Love Tanya
YES!!! I’m sitting on the edge of my seat here. This spoke directly to a situation I’ve been dealing with for several months. I finally did what God told me to do and just quit responding to the person who continued to bring hurt. That was so hard because my PRIDE kept wanting to defend my family and in some way change that person’s heart. I was so wrong! Only God can convict their heart, and my NOT saying anything doesn’t mean that I’m weak, or that I will allow it to go on. God showed me that He is my defender! Funny thing is, when I finally shut up and just forgave, God showed me so much about Himself. My pride kept me from seeing it before!
Wow, I am rambling!!
You inspire me girl!
steph.
I agree with Tam: This is an excellent post! You know that feeling when it’s like God is moving in your heart, telling you something, and it’s uncomfortable, but deeper than the discomfort is the sense that HE is moving and it is GOOD?
(If you followed that! ;))
Faith, I totally followed that! You have put into words there what i have always tried to. Right on. That’s it! Finally i can explain those moments now….THANKS!
Luke 9:23 If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.
Thank you D for the quote (and post). Tam and I have been sharing thoughts recently which this quote beautifully encapsulates.
You captured the pitfall i think any number of us ( perhaps all at one time at least) can make by believing that, as we did it (accepted Jesus as our model/mentor) once, we don’t need to dedicate ourselves to the task each and every day ( living moment even).
Jesus knew our ‘need’ better than we do. He also knew that not all who claim to follow Him have what it takes to do justice to their claims, finding more comfort in their own life than in one spent following in His Footsteps and putting their human needs before more heavenly ( Kingdom of God) ones.
Thank you again for the opportunity to re-read Luke 9 in toto. And also for your thoughts in your post 🙂
love