Pride
Today’s SOAP journal is brought to you by Stacey Fukushima
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Scripture
2 Kings 5:13
“Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, wash and be cleansed.”
Observation
Naaman was a very important man, one who had access to his king. Because of his importance, he thought highly of himself; and rightfully so. He had earned the position. I’m sure he tried everything within his power, ability, and resources to treat his leprosy. Finally, he humbled himself enough to seek out a man of God at the advice passed along from his wife, a captive Jew.
The advice? To wash himself in the Jordan river. But his pride reared its head. He humbled himself to seek advice from an enemy nation, to seek out advice from an opposing God, and he was told to take a bath? In the Jordan river at that? But his servants were able to appeal to him, and what did he have to lose?
His pride almost cost him; but he humbled himself, put down his pride and ego, obeyed – and he was healed!
Application
Pride is an important part of being human. There are things we should have pride in – and there are things that we should humble ourselves for. When God asks me to do something, that is when I should abandon my pride (that pride being in how others perceive me), but it is really hard for me! Embarrassment has stopped me from doing what God has asked of me. Not only do I hinder God moving through me, but I miss opportunities to bless others – by allowing my pride to get in the way. My embarrassment at being seen as the “weirdo at Walmart” has stopped me more than I’m willing to admit, but if I chose to obey and be the “weirdo,” I would be a blip on the radar, and everyone would go about their day. Except for that one person that I ministered to because my Heavenly Father told me to. What I did wouldn’t be a blip, but instead a God moment, a moment where ministry happens, and a prayer could be answered.
So today, I choose to put down my pride, to obey, even if it makes me uncomfortable, because my Heavenly Father knows best.
Prayer
Thank you God for helping me to deal with my pride. To put it down at your feet, and humble myself to be a servant, willing and obedient. Thank you God for giving me a boldness to move in your name, with the confidence and pride of being a child of Christ, so that I can be a light to others. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
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