Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. ~ Proverbs 16:18
Pride is a feeling of satisfaction or pleasure in one’s own accomplishments, abilities, or possessions. It can also refer to a sense of self-worth or self-respect. While pride can be a positive and healthy emotion in moderation, it can also become a negative force when it becomes excessive or overbearing.
Here are some ways pride can show up in people’s lives:
- Arrogance: Pride can lead to arrogance, where a person believes they are superior to others and entitled to special treatment or privileges.
- Stubbornness: Pride can make it difficult for a person to admit when they are wrong or to accept feedback or constructive criticism. This can lead to stubbornness and an unwillingness to consider alternative viewpoints or ideas.
- Need for control: Pride can make a person feel like they need to be in control of every situation. This can lead to micromanaging, difficulty delegating tasks, and a lack of trust in others.
- Resistance to help: Pride can make it difficult for a person to ask for help when they need it. They may feel like they should be able to handle things on their own, or that asking for help is a sign of weakness.
- Fear of vulnerability: Pride can make it difficult for a person to be vulnerable or show their true emotions. They may feel like they need to maintain a certain image or appearance to avoid being seen as weak.
Overall, pride can show up in many different ways in people’s lives, and it can hinder personal growth and development if it becomes excessive or overbearing. Furthermore, being ruled by pride can present many challenges in life, both personally and in relationships with others. Here are a few challenges that can come from being ruled by pride:
- Difficulty in admitting mistakes. When pride is in control, admitting fault or taking responsibility for one’s actions can be challenging. This can lead to a lack of accountability and can damage relationships with others.
- Strained relationships. Pride can cause people to be defensive, judgmental, and closed off to feedback or criticism. This can lead to strained relationships with friends, family members, and colleagues.
- Difficulty in asking for help. Pride can make it hard for people to ask for help when they need it. This can lead to missed opportunities, increased stress, and a feeling of being overwhelmed.
- Inability to receive feedback. Pride can make it hard for people to accept feedback or constructive criticism. This can hinder personal growth and development and lead to missed opportunities.
- Fear of vulnerability. Pride can make it hard for people to be vulnerable or show their true emotions. This can lead to a lack of connection with others and a feeling of loneliness or isolation.
Overall, being ruled by pride can be challenging and can hinder personal growth and development. When facing certain life battles, pride is often responsible for preventing many people from getting on the other side.
Asking for help can be difficult, especially if you struggle with pride or feel like you should be able to handle things on your own. Here are some tips on how to remove pride and ask for help:
- Recognize that everyone needs help sometimes. No one is perfect, and we all have areas where we could use some assistance. It’s not a weakness to ask for help; in fact, it takes strength to admit when you need it.
- Focus on the benefits of asking for help. Remind yourself of how much easier your situation could be if you had some support. It could be the difference between success and failure, or it could make a task much more manageable.
- Identify the source of your pride. What is it that makes you resistant to asking for help? Is it fear of being seen as weak or incapable? Is it a desire to maintain control over a situation? Understanding the root of your pride can help you work through it.
- Seek out support from a trusted friend or family member. Having someone in your corner can give you the confidence and encouragement you need to ask for help.
- Practice vulnerability. Sometimes the hardest part of asking for help is admitting that we don’t have all the answers. But vulnerability can be a powerful tool in building trust and connection with others. When we’re willing to show our flaws and weaknesses, it can open the door for others to do the same.
Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It’s an act of courage to admit when we need support, and it can lead to deeper connections and a greater sense of community.
Swallowing one’s pride to ask for help is hard, but we do have help available if and when you may be ready to seek additional resources.
Contact one of our therapists now.