Don't Let Pride Be Your Guide

We often let our pride get the best of us. Then, when all is said and done, instead of apologising and owning up to our unforgiving and in-the-heat-of-the-moment words or actions, we instead keep mum and bottle-feed our grudges. Our stubborn nature wants to ‘be right’, to not feel controlled, to not give in to someone else’s attempts to make us feel guilty. Being stubborn puts us in a position where we are no longer being a team player, but instead are being selfish and petty.

Pride causes you to view yourself as a victim. Your attitude becomes, “I was mistreated and misjudged, therefore, I am justified in my behaviour.” Because you believe you are innocent and falsely accused, you hold back forgiveness. Just because you were mistreated, you do not have permission to hold on to an offense. Two wrongs do not make a right! If you are mature enough, invest your energy in making the situation a harmonious one. One where you meet the other person halfway. Instead of choosing to be right, choose to be happy. Don’t defend your position and try to justify your actions, but instead surrender to their position and hear them out. Make amends. Say you’re sorry. Mean it. Do this instead of putting up a wall, pulling away and not being there when they so obviously need you the most. This is when it is essential for you to swallow your pride, and comfort the wounded one whom you love. Pulling away are childish acts. Before giving into your habitual stubbornness, ask yourself, would you rather win your argument and be right, or would you rather be in a harmonious relationship with the other person? Having harmony creates a stronger bond and encourages balance, love and kindness. Don't let pride be your guide. Every conflict that you go through in any relationship has an element of pride mixed into it. What's the middle letter of the word "pride?" I. What's the middle letter of the word "crime?" I. What's the middle letter of the word "sin?" I.

We have an "I' problem! "I" want what "I" want and "I" want it now, and that causes all kinds of problems. In any relationship, never let pride be your guide, because pride is the root of every other sin.

If you want to be happy in your relationships, you've got to have harmony. And if you're going to have harmony, you've got to have humility. Never let pride be your guide.