“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom,” Proverbs 11:2.
Conflict happens in relationships. Is that true or false? I think if you are a human being with a beating heart, you will agree that it is a very true statement. Conflict happens in all relationships. Since Adam and Eve, there has never been (as far as I know) a relationship that existed totally void of conflict. We are relational people, which means there’s going to be disagreements that hold the potential to drive us apart. There’s going to be circumstances when we will not see eye to eye. There are going to be struggles and tensions that will pull on folks determination to stand their ground. And it’s all because of one word – pride. Pride is the culprit in the whole game of ‘who’s right, who’s wrong’ tug-o-wars in any relationship .
With pride, war begins. Without pride, war ends.
Pride always leads to disgrace and where there is disgrace, their is hurt. Bottom line – pride hurts people. So, no matter how “right” we may be, if we refuse to humble ourselves to seek the wisdom of God and if we refuse to humble ourselves so that restoration in the relationship can begin, then we are positioning ourselves for even more hurt. True humility is a powerful thing in a relationship not only surviving, but thriving.
Be Inspired: If you are in a relationship and you’ve been hurt, the Bible teaches us that before their can be any strides toward reconciliation, we first must forgive them. (See Matthew 6:15) We need to understand that withheld forgiveness only hurts us. It’s a prideful thing not to forgive. But if you have hurt them, if you’ve said anything out of anger, yelled or argued with them, pitched a fit, were accusatory, mistreated them in any way, will you do as I was raised in the south to do – eat some humble pie and apologize? Ask for their forgiveness. I know that in some situations it is VERY humbling to say you’re sorry, but if you will humble yourself before the Lord, He will lift you up with honors as you humble yourself in attempting to reconcile with your man.
PRAISE THE LORD!!! After talking with a hurting friend yesterday, hearing her tears for a family member, the above Inspiration post for “Being the Woman Your Man Needs – Means Eating Humble Pie” was written and its truth immediately was put to work!!! Y’all, humility comes before honors, and so often those honors come into our life in ways that mean HUGE HUGE things in our life! God knows how to mend and how to restore, and we get in on what He is doing WHEN we humble ourselves. I’m THRILLED, just so happy to know that as His Word is received, He lavishes His honor on those who humbled themselves to obey…a testimony that will speak volumes to the power of His Word and our obedience to it!