God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time. —1 Peter 5:5–6
If we could reduce pride to its base element, we would find ourselves looking at the toxic atom of self-reliance. It is the thing that weakens us on the inside while appearing to prop us up on the outside.
The soul engorged with pride rejects help; it sees no need for it. Because of the inability to see their true and needy selves, the proud resist the correction God offers them. They do not see the power that humility can bring. They do not understand that after God corrects them He will restore them. By refusing to humble themselves, the proud forfeit grace.
Pride doesn’t have to be chronic, though. It can be reversed. In fact, we are destined to be humble—one way or another. We can come into it with gladness or with resistance, either resting or wrestling. We can humble ourselves or be humbled.
Make it Personal
Are you living with pride in your heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any attitudes of self-reliance that you are clinging to.