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.
Proverbs 11:22 paints a picture. It’s imagery we use today without thinking about the verse. Who would want to put a gold ring in a pig’s snout anyway? Would anybody waste a piece of jewelry on a hog?
A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
Proverbs 11:22 (NLT)
When I drew this cartoon, I quoted the New International Reader’s Version. That translation uses “no sense.” Discretion adds quite a bit of meaning. It means to use good judgment and to speak in such a way as to not cause offense or reveal sensitive information.
Discretion calls all of us to use our better judgment. That can be difficult when we are rushed to make a quick comment or when we’re tempted to say something flippant.
However, it could keep many people out of trouble. How many times have you said something only to wish you could take it back? Yes, me too. Discretion can keep us from saying something that we will come to regret. It can help us keep our friendships and establish goodwill.
I know. It’s dreamy, pie-in-the-sky thinking. Still, the world would look and feel much better if more people used some discretion. At the very least, it could help a few more single people get some dates without a gold ring in the snout.
What a good topic for a Sunday! What does it mean to be spiritually mature when we are in lockdown and are longing to have normal events like church services? I miss the time to get together with friends and mentors as we discuss spiritual matters and learn from the pastor’s sermon. While it’s true there are online services, it’s not the same, and there are many churches and congregants that don’t have the technology or the resources.
When I posted this cartoon and post thirteen years ago, I was working for a Christian publisher. Yet looking back, I don’t know if my definition of spiritual maturity then would mesh with my understanding today. I hope and pray I have matured since then. My wife certainly has, as I alluded to in that previous post. I continue to learn a lot from her. But I know I have a long way to go.
Everyone is being tested through this crisis, even the spiritually mature. However, spiritual maturity can give us resilience during this crisis. What does it look like? Keep in mind I am looking at this from a Christian perspective since that is my background.
We have a great opportunity to strengthen our spiritual, emotional, and mental maturity through this crisis. Like you, I have my bad days. We all struggle. It helps me to remember we are all experiencing trials and troubles and that we can grow from them. Have a blessed Sunday!
Cartoon of two women and a scarecrow. One woman says, “We met at a gardening convention.”
Cartoon of frog to princess. The frog says, “Let’s be honest. I’m not a prince. But if you’ll kiss me, I’ll feel good about myself.”
I picture my wife thinking something along this line when we first dated. I’m glad she ended up kissing the frog. She’s still royalty and I’m a better quality frog for it.