Scripture: James 4:6-10
Reflection: Pride rarely announces itself. It slips in wearing nice clothes, sounding like gratitude. You say, “Thank you, Lord,” but somewhere underneath, a quiet voice adds, “I did work hard for this.” Joseph was a young man who knew that he was his father’s favorite and had been gifted with a special robe of many colors. Even when sold as a slave by his brothers and falsely accused of sexual misconduct, God stepped in and blessed Joseph. Yet, it’s possible that Joseph may have struggled with a bit of pride. It took awhile for God working in Joseph’s life to loosen that grip.
Maybe you feel that tug too. You are capable. You have handled hard things before. None of that is wrong.
The danger comes when capable becomes self-sufficient, and you stop leaning on God because you rarely feel you need to. James says God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Notice that grace is not withheld from the proud out of spite; it simply cannot be received by hands full of self. Today, take a look in the mirror. Ask God to show you what you cannot see on your own.
Application Question: Where in your life might you be quietly taking credit that belongs to God, and what would it look like to hand it back this week?
