Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NRSV)

Sometimes, the real problem lies with us. Upset because you were sure you were right, but others disagreed with you? Did it make you so angry that it caused tension and discord? Maybe to the point of not speaking to another for a while?

Sometimes, we can be loud and pushy, so passionately full of ourselves that we end up making a mess of things. The words pride and self-righteous come to mind. Sometimes we need to stop and listen to Scripture advising us to get over ourselves and deal with the matter at hand with humility. “Let go of pride and value others above ourselves.”

Sometimes, to get it right, we just need to turn to God to see what God would do — not only with the mess we made, but also with our character – and with our hearts.

Prayer: Dear Lord, guide our lives so we may have the faith to lean into your gracious presence as you usher us into the future. Amen.

Deaconess Beth Olejniczak, Rogers, AR