I acknowledged my sin to You, and me iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Psalms 32:5

A few years ago, I experienced a major finicial setback. It was

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

I Thess.5:11

Darla asked Juanita to join a group for women who wanted to be witnesses to loved ones who are not Christians. Following are the guidelines for the group.

1.  We will focus on the good [Phil. 4:8].

2.  We will resist the temptation to talk about our loved one in a derogatory way [Eph. 5:33].

3.  We will focus on what we can do rather than what our loved one is doing or not doing [Romans 14:12].

4.  Each day we will do something loving for our loved one. Then we will report back to the group [James 1:22].

5.  We will keep as our guide I Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love suffers long and is kind…love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek it’s   own, is not provoked…”

6.  We will accept that no human will ever be able to meet the deep longing of our heart. Only God can do that [Psalms 2:5-6].

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, that change doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.

Galations 6:4

There are lots of paradoxes in psychology. Today’s verse points to one of those paradoxes-the paradox between healthy pride and grandiosity. Many times people with chronically low self-esteem try to disguise their inner emptiness by puffing themselves up. Our verse asks us to test ourselves for such false pride-in order to take pride in ourselves as worthy children of God.

It’s a delicate balance. This Scripture tells us to look in the mirror honestly; to take credit and be happy for all our real accomplishments, our areas of growth and triumph, but not to puff ourselves up into something we’re not.

When we really look at ourselves with a prayerful attitude, we are freed from both grandiosity and self-condemnation. In addition, as we’re really honest with ourselves, we’re able to pull away from destructive dependant relationships. We no longer need the constant approval of others, and we feel a new strength to bear our own load.

Thought:  I will obey scripture by examining my behavior today. I will take healthy pride in my cooperation with God on my journey.