Seed of Pride

I'm currently working through a women's Bible study by Britta Lafont called, Prodigal Confessions and wondering, "Why can I only hear this now when it's always been the truth?"

Here are some excerpts from the study by Britta, bits and pieces, that spoke to me:

Seed of Pride sprouted and blossomed, shouting in my head about the faults and flaws of others, and my hurt only increased…back to my childhood: Do I really have to submit to authority when I think it is unfair? My heart said, "No!" but God's Word says, "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God" (Romans 13:1, NLT).

My overwhelming emotions had to do with another lie that simmered, unacknowledged, under the surface: someone else's bad behavior or attitude justifies mine…"I couldn't help it; they just made me so mad!"…Yet, I knew in my heart that this logic wasn't related to the Truth. My heart responded to insults and injuries like a two year old. But I couldn't get past God's Word: "Never pay back evil with evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone" (Romans 12:17-18, NLT).

Our obedience to the Lord should not be dependent on other peoples' behavior…We are accountable to God. We cannot justify our own bad behavior by someone else's. When little children say, "But he did it first!" their mothers usually say, "I don't care who did what. That's no excuse. Two wrongs don't make a right. Now go behave yourself." I felt the Lord was saying the same thing to me when I looked for justifications and excuses for my anger, irritability, and bitterness.

That is the voice of reason in the wilderness, is it not? Now, I just need to paste the page to my forehead so I can remember it in times of high emotion.