Day 8: Pride

So, this morning I received my daily email of encouraging words, and the particular verses that were included made me think about what I said in yesterday's post.

All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
~Ecclesiastes 7:15-20 (KJV)

I feel like I was a little too proud of the fact that I had been patient and not said anything (audibly) to the guy who made the smart remark. Yes, I'm glad that I'm learning to be more patient, especially with rude people, but I shouldn't make it sound like I'm boasting about it. It wasn't my intention yesterday to sound like I was. I was merely trying to make a point that angry words do nothing to help a person, because (believe me) I've had my share of angry words... a fact that I am certainly not proud of in the least. But today's verses bring comfort to me. God is the only perfect being, and He knows that His children make mistakes. No human is immune to that, so we shouldn't expect to avoid them every time. That doesn't give anyone permission to go out and do whatever delinquent act comes to mind. We still need to do our best to be good Christians, but we shouldn't beat ourselves up over our inevitable mistakes. That's the beauty of it: when a person makes a mistake, is truly sorry for it, and asks God's forgiveness, He wipes the slate clean. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, so that we could be forgiven merely by asking. That is a truly beautiful thing, to say the VERY least.

Today, Lord, I ask that You forgive me of my sins. I know that I am far from perfect, and sometimes I try too hard to be a good person, and sometimes I beat myself up over stupid mistakes... but I know that, despite all of that, You still love me. THANK YOU!!! Lord, please guide me so that I don't worry so much about making mistakes. I fear You and love You, Lord, and I invite You to come into my heart and show me The Way. I pray that I focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past or fearing the future. The only thing that matters is following You now. I leave the rest in Your loving hands. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.