Like most English words, pride is a nuanced word that can have both good and bad meanings. I like what John Maxwell says about pride and humility.
“There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. ‘Good pride’ represents our dignity and self-respect. ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.”
John C. Maxwell
Just when we think we have humility figured out, it causes us to experience pride. The poor guy in the cartoon hasn’t figured this dilemma out yet.
Today is a Monday. While I am writing, it is raining outside. It’s not perfect circumstances. Then again, are there ever any perfect circumstances? We may see a gloomy situation on the horizon. But there are good reasons why it is better not to give up.
“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.”
Babe Ruth
Whenever we are convinced we can succeed, we can move forward when it looks hopeless. We can meet obstacles with confidence. Temporary setback do not deter us. Rather, we can keep going and know that sooner or later, we will succeed.
It never makes sense to give up! This link is about a game I was sure the other team won. My team looked like it wasn’t their day. However, after I turned off the TV, my team overcame a fourteen point deficit and went on to win by thirteen points. The only reason that happened is that the team never lost hope. They kept going when it looked hopeless and won.
If we expect to be students for the rest of our lives, we can learn and adjust to any situation. Beware of the naysayers that say it is hopeless before we really have a chance to succeed. We can make a difference and win when we believe it. When we learn to change obstacles into opportunities, the win will come.
Who wants to experience more suffering? Nobody? Me neither! Whenever anybody sets up goals, nobody but a sadist eagerly plans for suffering. Yet, it is in the crucible of suffering we can become much better than we imagined.
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
Helen Keller
As I write this, there are 7,931,373,700 billion people in the world. There will be more by the time you read this. And every one of us on this planet experiences suffering.
And adults suffer in a myriad of ways. Even the most successful person experiences suffering. We can avoid it. It is part of life.
We have scars of suffering from the past. Some we can laugh about. An old football injury, in retrospect, can be a badge of honor. When someone says, “That had to hurt!” the old linebacker can smile and weave a tall tale about that fateful night against the crosstown rival.
So if it is unavoidable, what choice do we have in the crucible of suffering? First of all, don’t be surprised! We all go through it. The Apostle Peter knew this very well.
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12–13 (KJV)
We may suffer when doing good. And we may suffer for evil or foolish acts. We may not have a choice on whether we will suffer or not. But we do have a choice in how we react when suffering comes.
Helen Keller’s quote is so powerful when we consider the suffering she endured. She lost her sight and hearing at such an early age. Yet through the patience of a faithful teacher, and the right attitude, she made an indelible impact on millions.
We will all experience the crucible of suffering. Our choice is not whether we can avoid it. Rather, it is how we respond in the midst of our suffering. That is what develops our character!
Happy Monday! Are you dreading it? Do you have a feeling there will be problems today? On one hand, I hope this day will go well for you. But on the other hand, I encourage you to embrace the benefit of problems, for there are a few.
“Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.”
Alfred A. Montapert
That quote may not sound optimistic. You may be asking, “Why should I expect problems? Aren’t they the reason I’ll have a bad day?”
My answer is that we need problems to grow. Every problem is a challenge and every challenge is a learning experience.
We have this mistaken notion that when we are in school, our goal is to answer enough of the questions on a test so that we never have to solve another one. Where did that come from? When school is done well, it prepares us to answer problems. A test in the classroom can prepare us for tests out in the real world.
Problems exist, and that is good! Every opportunity came from a predicament that needed to be solved.
That doesn’t mean all trouble is good or that it will make us feel great. There are some headaches that are out of our control. But there are others that have an answer within reach if we remain determined to stick it out and address the issue.
When trials come, consider if this is an opportunity. Is it something that requires a short-term or long-term solution? Instead of dreading them, let’s embrace the benefit of problems and eat them for breakfast!
What if Mary and Joseph gave us the first example of an entitled Christmas? After all, I’ve lived around farmers most of my life. Many of my family are farmers and not one of them decided it was a good idea to have their baby in a stable.
What if Mary and Joseph spent the journey to Bethlehem complaining about the Roman government and the stupid census? Of all the times for the government to count people so they could be taxed more! Why couldn’t God make things more convenient for them?
And look at all that traffic! Everyone was passing them because an “obviously pregnant woman” would not be able to kick it into high gear. What if Joseph was steaming because they weren’t making good time?
Joseph could have been very indignant that the innkeeper had no room. Even if the baby wasn’t the Messiah, shouldn’t a baby have the right to be born in a clean, peaceful environment? What if Mary gave Joseph a hard time for being unable to hustle and find a decent place for them? Couldn’t the guy book a reservation?
Then what if Mary and Joseph spent the night brooding about their situation when the shepherds arrived? Isn’t it bad enough they have to face the indignity of a stable birth? Sure, if you are stuck in a stable, I guess shepherds would be the logical next step. After all, the innkeeper is busy with all the paying guests in the warm, comfortable inn. Why not have smelly shepherds join the party with their newborn?
Whether it’s a gift we expected but didn’t get or a feeling that we deserve better than this or that, Christmas holiday entitlement can ruin the season. There are plenty of examples of people that make the holidays less than bright. When the season of giving becomes a time of entitlement, there is little peace on earth, or within.
Instead of encouraging a selfish mentality, we can nurture a giving spirit in our children and ourselves. Here are some tips I wrote to do just that!
We have plenty of reasons to have gratitude this time of year. And we can be giving instead of thinking about how things “should be.” May your Christmas holiday be merry and bright.