Our pride often keeps us from asking for what we need. We may have grown up in a family where we were consistently ignored or disappointed. Perhaps our needs were seldom met. Some of us reacted by becoming self-sufficient and determined that we would never ask anyone for help. Jesus, who knows we will not succeed on our own, tells us to not just ask, but to keep on asking for help. Only the work of God's Holy Spirit in us will enable us to become healthy people.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:9-10 NIV)
Pride born out of hurt shows up when we refuse to acknowledge our need for help. Sooner or later the independent road we are choosing will take us back to active addiction.
Are we willing to humbly admit that there is another way – a better way – to deal with the brokenness inside us? This way begins with giving our will and life over to the care of God and asking for His help.
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. Human pride will be humbled, and human arrogance will be brought down. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment. (Proverbs 11:2, 13:10, Isaiah 2:17 NLT)
The challenge for us is giving up our prideful effort to be self-sufficient. We really don't know what is best for us. God alone has the solutions we need. These principles are recorded in the Bible. We must be persistent and ask repeatedly for help until all the tangled threads of our problems are sorted. God's promise to us is that everyone who turns from their independent ways and seeks healing and freedom through Jesus’ finished work on the cross will find it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Forgive me for being prideful and for thinking I could live a joyful life in recovery without You, and without those who counsel and mentor me. Thank You for pursuing me with Your unfailing love. I surrender my will and life to You and choose to follow Your directions in all my affairs. Amen
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