An Odd Form of Pride

This subject has definitely been written about on this blog, but perhaps not exactly from this angle. 

Pride....so many varied faces. 

Oftentimes, when a person finds that they are more alone than they want, or are avoided by people to an extent, pride can be the culprit. 

We can think more highly of ourselves than we ought, and people do not like this. We can encourage our offspring to think more highly of themselves than they ought as well. Beware, parent. You just may be your child's Achilles heel!

If we often give our unsolicited opinions, it is as if we are saying, "What I think is important, listen to me!" Maybe it is important, but wait for times that it is helpful or wanted. Trying to show your knowledge isn't always welcome. Prayer requests aren't open opportunities to give advice to someone. I'd say that is a time to NOT offer opinions or advice. People will ask if they want advice, usually from people they respect. If you are compelled, ask the person if they are interested in your thoughts on the matter. Be willing to be told no.

Not bettering ourselves can be a more subtle form of pride. For example, shunning college or failing to see the value in it for others because ultimately we think we know everything already...this is shockingly prideful. Failing to understand why some should go to college is insulting. Everyone should use the gifts God has given them to the maximum. God gifts some intellectually. We should all make the most of what God has gifted us with and cultivating our minds is part of that to varying degree. It should make sense that if the Lord has seriously blessed someone with a love of learning, the ability to learn and succeed at high levels, they should foster that to glorify Him. To be content to not better ourselves in ways that develop our minds, and thus open options for better work opportunities, is short-sighted and foolish. Men should consider this carefully. College is certainly not needed for many careers, so don't waste your time if it isn't. But the operative word there is CAREER. High school caliber work isn't going to provide for a family, and you want skills that transfer to multiple settings. For example, a skilled mechanic will have their pick of places to work. No college is needed and it is a good career. Taking special certification courses is often a smart move, and demonstrates planning for the future and humility. We don't know it all because we know some. 

That last sentence really capitalizes on wrong, prideful thinking. Taking high school Biology merely introduces you to the subject matter. College Biology will begin with some basics that are repetitive, and only a fool would say, "I've already learned all of this; I'm dropping the class!" College Biology goes much farther and deeper, and the subsequent courses do as well. Introductory courses at the college level do not begin to plumb the depths of a subject. The humble person sees this and realizes the more they learn, the less they know. Exploring the depths of Biology takes years of advanced classes. This is true of all subjects.

Do not think you bring more to the table than you do. Assume you bring very little and you will find more friends and less people avoiding you. Quite simply, pride goeth before a fall.