The problem with pride is that it's focused on who we are or what we think we are, even though usually we have little or nothing to do with our own circumstances.  Think of the people who have been born into the upper class, and how strongly they hold on to the pride that their social class has instilled in them.  Their pride, though, is misplaced--they have done nothing to get where they are, and their pride in themselves is deceitful and probably quite harmful.  Their pride is based on a system or systems that were created and forged by others before them, and they're merely reaping the benefits of the work of others.  Enjoying the benefits is one thing, but being proud of them--there's no place for that.

This sort of pride leads people to make poor decisions, to limit their lives in an unlimited world.  They won't have anything to do with certain people because those people don't measure up to their standards.  The rich won't socialize with the poor, the full-timers won't socialize with the part-timers, the beautiful won't be seen with the ugly (what will people think?).

Pride goes before the fall, we read in Proverbs.  We've all heard it.  Actually, though, this would be much more simply said "pride causes the fall."  I have never met an extremely proud person around whom I've been comfortable, for I see them sabotaging their own lives over and over again, limiting themselves to whatever's "acceptable" to them in their circumstances.

I see them treat other people as inferiors, completely ignoring the fact that every person they mistreat was created by the same God who created them.  I've seen them insult and ridicule and hold others in disdain, all for the sake of maintaining their own pride.  You see, they're fooling themselves into thinking that they have power, but they'll find out that the power they have is limited to times when things are going well.  Once things start going poorly, they'll see just how powerless they truly are--their pride has kept them from seeing aspects of their lives that they need to work on, has kept them from seeing gaps in their knowledge and ability.

Pride is blinding, and there is none so poor as the one who is not able to see things as they truly are.  Physical blindness is not nearly as debilitating as spiritual or mental blindness, and the proud people of the world cannot claim to see.  Humility is the opposite of pride, and the humble have a very good vision of just where they stand in the world.  Give me a poor humble person to be with before a rich proud person any day.  With the humble person, I'll learn of the world and of other people and of life; with the proud person, I'll learn only about that person and what makes him or her so "great."  And I won't even believe the person.

People who live in situations that generally foster pride but who hold on to their humility are among the most admirable people I know.  Everything is working on them to make them proud, yet they keep a healthy perspective, and they give credit where credit is due, and they don't take it all for themselves.  They still see, and they see clearly.  A man who had made millions in asphalt recently sold his business and split the profits with the people who had worked for him over the years, turning some into instant millionaires.  He had made millions himself, and he was willing to give it away to others.  He had resisted pride, and he and others were much happier for it.

Be proud of your accomplishments, but then move on to the next task--that's where you're needed.  Never let pride overwhelm you and rob you of your ability to see the world and your place in it clearly.  Learn of life, and prepare yourself for any future by filling in your own gaps and strengthening yourself in your weak areas.

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