I’m Prideful

Take another drink…

I’m forever working on killing pride in my life. It’s an ongoing journey.

I picture it this way: I’m sitting next to this huge murky lake and in my hand is an 8oz measuring cup. With all my effort I’m scooping water out, continually striving to empty it, unfortunately the water level decreases extremely slow. Nonetheless I am working on it.

I was praying this morning and began just repenting of pride-telling the Lord how sorry I am and asking if this pride thing will ever end? He said “your pride doesn’t bother me-it keeps you humble.”

I sat there sipping my tea, just pondering this statement, realizing

1. God is so much bigger than my pride
2. It could be worse, I could be in oblivion and not even recognize I have pride.

Yes, this recognition and constant quest to diminish pride is indeed good. It reminds me of how human I am and how much I need Jesus.

It may sound bizarre but I am embracing pride. Seeing it’s relentlessness as a good tool in staying humble. Not embrace as to give in to it, but to allow God to be strong in my weakness. It’s the same with rebellion, strong will, and stubbornness. I’ve owned them and use them as instruments against the enemy.

I’m rebellious to evil and status quo, I use my strong will to will myself into submission to God and I’m extremely stubborn when it comes to standing for what is right and true.

I love this concept, no cowering to Satan and his tactics, just overcoming. Throwing his plans back at him, watching God turn all that Satan means for evil to good.

“you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” Gen. 50:20
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me, Says the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17

Might

A tall drink of water…

It is Gods desire to strengthen us with might through His Spirit in our inner man.

Might is defined as: superior power, strength or force.

I don’t know about you but being strengthened with superior power by Gods Spirit in my inner person is not an undersized promise. Read Ephesians 3:16, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man”

We have all asked God to strengthen and see us through various situations but this is different. Here the reason is found in the very next verse (17) “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” The point is not for a situation, but for a life style of daily overcoming, through intimate relationship with God.

Now ask yourself why do I need to be strengthened in my inner man that Christ can dwell there? Why is that so hard? It’s the decrease to increase phenomenon. In order for Christ to live and make Himself at home in our heart, we have to empty it. That my friend takes strength! Most people have issue with giving up the clutter in their heart and lives.

In Ephesians 3 Paul is praying for the church at Ephesus knowing that if Christ would be allowed to dwell in the believers heart then they would be able to know the rest of verse 17-19; “that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

To have Christ dwell in our heart and to know, really know the love of God and to be filled with all the fullness of God will solve every issue and difficulty both large or small. Every dilemma, quandary, crisis, problem and/or setback- you can dominate-by the Spirit of God strengthening you with His might in the very core of who you are.

No matter the person-no matter the question, the answer is always the same-Christ wants to make Himself at home in our heart and be enough for us in each situation.