Honesty

A powerful tool in overcoming pride is exposing it, being honest. That's how we get humility. If we hold on to pride in our hearts, we can sweep it under the rug, justify our actions, and pretend like it's not there, but the moment we say it out loud, we have to acknowledge that we are still fallible, still deeply sinful and in need of God's mercy. It is one of the most humbling things you can do to be open about your sin.

I believe God rejoices when we take that step and begin to be free with our heart, good and bad. Because that's what He wants for us, freedom.

Every time that I admit to a fault, I feel freaking victorious. It is such a small thing, but it takes so much. And for me, it signifies how far I've come, and I am proud of it, of what God has done in my heart.

The other day I was struggling with something in my heart towards Bethany, and it was petty, and after going back and forth in my mind long enough, I just said it. I just said "I know it's petty, but this is what is going on in my heart." And she said "That is petty," and I did feel a spike of pride, but it didn't stay.

I want to be so rooted in God that I'm not afraid to be honest about all the bad, all the little sparks of sin that strike throughout the day, all the little offences, all the little ugly voices of "She meant to do that.". I want to be honest, and then let it go. Because even if everyone meant the meanest, most spiteful things towards me, it doesn't matter a whit. God's love holds me, and personal offence gets in the way of repairing relationship. In fact, if I approach a conflict from offence and hurt, then it gets repaired wrong. And if it's repaired wrong, it takes even longer to undo and redo the right way. It sabotages it.

Honesty lays it all out, it chokes out the pride that takes conflict and makes it their fault. Pride can't stand when humility is present.

Honesty brings humility.

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