We all have places of pride in our lives. We glory in what we know how to do, and forget that we are helpless without Christ. What can we do in these situations? When is it ok to be prideful? We must run to God’s Word! What scriptures can we use to point ourselves to the All-Sufficient Christ? How can we learn to trust in Jesus?

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 ESV

Being a Know-It-All

I’m a bit of a know-it-all. I can solve a Rubik’s Cube. I got a 32 on my ACTs my junior year of high school, blah, blah, blah. Doesn’t that make me extra smart? I tend to think that my thought process is more logical than most. I’m a good problem solver, and I can think intelligently on my feet. I’ve always been good with numbers, and to my shame it is a label I wear with pride. Lord, help me!

Pride is my daily downfall. But my pride doesn’t stop there. How awful it is that these thought processes attach themselves to my relationship with God and his Word as well! I can quote a lot of scripture and discern the main idea of parts of the Bible that are difficult to most people. I become so self-sufficient with what I know that I let myself forget that it is God who made my mind this way. I think that I’ve “got it together” and if I can maintain control of my circumstances then everything will turn out just fine.

Breaking Pride by Trusting Jesus

As a result of this issue I usually end up falling flat on my face. It seems like a never-ending roller coaster of self-sufficiency and helplessness. This happened again last week. I was ready to write this devotional. In all honesty, it was going to be a bit preachy, when I really needed the preaching myself. It’s not surprising how one or two negative thoughts or circumstances can make the house of cards crumble. I spent most of last week agitated, feeling like certain aspects of life were falling apart, and feeling way out of control. On Saturday morning, as I started to write my original idea for this devotion, I found myself weeping before the Lord.

Confident that I needed to change my tune, I was blessed to hear some old hymns on the radio Sunday morning. What followed was a wonderful time of blessing from Jesus and a renewed understanding of who He is. I know I’m not alone. We all have our pride, pervasive negative thoughts, and tendency toward self-sufficiency in some way.

I hope to offer you some encouragement. I began to think of Romans 7:19-25 where Paul says “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing…Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” We must learn to let scripture lead us to the truth that Jesus is our source of pride! To the Galatians (6:14) Paul said “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Jesus is the Answer

Jesus is the Know-It-All, and He is the Answer. John 1:3 says “All things were made through him [Jesus], and without him was not any thing made that was made.” He made it all, so He knows it all. Even more, Hebrews 4:15-16 declares “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been temped as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” He doesn’t just have KNOWLEDGE OF the things He created. He KNOWS US INTIMATELY; even knowing our hidden prides and struggles.

Jesus holds our lives together, not us. Colossians 1:15-17 speaks again of His creative power and then ends with “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Our control is only an illusion. Sometimes it’s hard to hear, but such a blessing.

Jesus is steady, and always there. Our lives seem like a never-ending roller coaster, and that’s why we must study the Bible to develop our trust. Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We all have hills and valleys. We are out of control without Christ. The goal is to learn to level the roller coaster as we trust with steady faith.

Here’s one of the hymns I listened to Sunday. I pray it blesses you as it blessed me.

TIS’ SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me,
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.