The Lord has been working with me on pride and I thought I would share some of my struggles with you. First of all, most shocking to me was God's revelation that I had a pride problem. Yep, that's right- I had so much pride that I could not see that I had a pride problem. I have learned since that this reason is why pride can run so rampant in our lives. It is because it is so tricky and deceptive it's very presence can go undetected for many years. Of course the fruits of a prideful spirit will be seen. However, in my case I did not know that the fruits were stemming from a root of pride.

Here are some of my problem behaviors that the Lord showed me were unequivocally rooted in pride:

• Irritability-things are not going exactly my way so I am frustrated
• Impatience-why do you have to move so slowly?
• Anger-I am so mad that things are not going my way
• Selfish-do this my way because my way is best
• Judgemental- how could you? I would never...
• Disobedient-not heeding the voice of God or godly authority figures in my life such as my husband
• Headstrong-My way, not the Lord's way-my way just makes more sense!
• Unforgiveness-how can I forgive after what they have done

Basically the self-talk behind all of these behaviors is "My way is the best way and the only way and those who do not follow my way will be judged harshly by me." From dealing with my children to commenting on items in the news, I had allowed a spirit of pride to become a part of much of my life.

I had a serious, chronic, progressive illness and I needed healing!First, I had to undego surgery to cut the pride out of heart. Next, I was placed on a medication regimen that I will need to be on for the rest of my life. My medication cocktail consists of humility, forgiveness, patience, love and immediate obedience.  Some days I wake up and decide that I will skip my forgiveness pill or I will only take half of my patience pill. I am still a work in progress in this (and many other!) areas.

Thank God that the Lord's mercies are new every day.

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Mark 12:28-31
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.³¹The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.There is no commandment greater than these."

Lord, I pray to you that you keep a spirit of pride far from me. Fill me humility as I seek to serve you better and follow your commandments as given to me in your Word. You tell me that I am to love you and my brother. I can not love if I am serving pride. Continue to surround me with women who are humble, patient and kind so that I may learn to live a lifestyle of humility and love. In Jesus name I pray.