When I saw the topic of the first chapter in Steering Through Chaos, I knew immediately that this would be, for me, one of the most important discussions of the entire semester. Although I wrestle to various degrees with the other six vices, pride has the greatest influence on the desires of my heart. Unfortunately, when I read Guinness’ exposition of this vice, I recognized myself in many of his descriptions of pride; nevertheless, even as I felt pricks from the Holy Spirit I saw faint glimmers of hope. I would like to touch on a few points that resonated with me, some encouragement that I found nestled between the convicting statements, and a resource from this chapter that I believe will be helpful as I seek to turn away from my pride and
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I found that a common symptom of pride is that it causes people to view themselves as “invulnerab[le]” and “self-sufficien[t]” (Guinness 37, 39), two characteristics with which I have foolishly self-identified on more than one occasion. God has given me the ability to perform well in several different areas of life, and this, combined with a variety of circumstances in middle and high school and my tendency to become embittered, has tempted me to rely on my own strength instead of on God to push through life’s challenges. Although I ask God for strength to uphold me during moments of physical and emotional weakness, and I often claim in my heart that my life consists of God and me against the world, my true heart attitude is the same as that of Corneille from Medea: “Me, me alone, and that’s enough” (51). Although it is true that Jesus calls us to be willing to set aside our relationships and plans to follow Him, I have a sinful tendency to be very goal-directed. Even when I start out well by focusing on good responsibilities that He has given me, I often ignore the people He has placed in my life. In addition, because I rely on my own strength and set unrealistic goals for myself, I frequently assume an annoyed or “glass half-empty” attitude. Thus, Guinness’ words were a cutting, and yet surprisingly comforting, explanation for my unhappiness: he declared …show more content…
I am thankful that pride was the first vice addressed in this class because it is the sin I struggle with the most. By addressing my questions and getting advice at the beginning of the semester, I can start waging the war against my sin sooner rather than later and I can have more time to work on this area of my life during the next four months (and beyond, of course). As I mentioned earlier, I believe that James Taylor’s suggestions will serve as excellent reminders and guides for day-to-day life. Thus, although this chapter was certainly convicting at multiple points, it offered much-needed encouragement and clarified my course of action as I begin to walk with God towards
I found that a common symptom of pride is that it causes people to view themselves as “invulnerab[le]” and “self-sufficien[t]” (Guinness 37, 39), two characteristics with which I have foolishly self-identified on more than one occasion. God has given me the ability to perform well in several different areas of life, and this, combined with a variety of circumstances in middle and high school and my tendency to become embittered, has tempted me to rely on my own strength instead of on God to push through life’s challenges. Although I ask God for strength to uphold me during moments of physical and emotional weakness, and I often claim in my heart that my life consists of God and me against the world, my true heart attitude is the same as that of Corneille from Medea: “Me, me alone, and that’s enough” (51). Although it is true that Jesus calls us to be willing to set aside our relationships and plans to follow Him, I have a sinful tendency to be very goal-directed. Even when I start out well by focusing on good responsibilities that He has given me, I often ignore the people He has placed in my life. In addition, because I rely on my own strength and set unrealistic goals for myself, I frequently assume an annoyed or “glass half-empty” attitude. Thus, Guinness’ words were a cutting, and yet surprisingly comforting, explanation for my unhappiness: he declared …show more content…
I am thankful that pride was the first vice addressed in this class because it is the sin I struggle with the most. By addressing my questions and getting advice at the beginning of the semester, I can start waging the war against my sin sooner rather than later and I can have more time to work on this area of my life during the next four months (and beyond, of course). As I mentioned earlier, I believe that James Taylor’s suggestions will serve as excellent reminders and guides for day-to-day life. Thus, although this chapter was certainly convicting at multiple points, it offered much-needed encouragement and clarified my course of action as I begin to walk with God towards