Can You Be Proud Without Being Prideful?

Yesterday, I attended a painting party with a lively group of women from our gym. Now, I should mention, I’m not really the crafty type. My husband doesn’t even let me paint a wall in our house without supervision. He thinks I might turn it into a modern art disaster, which is probably justified. So, each time I join one of these painting parties, I step way outside my comfort zone.

But here’s the kicker: I actually have a blast! The atmosphere is fun and light-hearted. Everyone is laughing, chatting, and making absolute messes with paint. There’s something refreshing about being surrounded by women who are just as clueless about art as I am. We bond over our creative struggles, and the encouragement we give each other is priceless.

When it was finally my turn to reveal my artwork, I couldn't believe my eyes. My project actually turned out well! I stood there holding my paintbrush like a proud parent presenting their kid’s finger painting to the world. I felt a swell of pride. Is it wrong to admit that I was proud of my project? I mean, it’s not like I’m going to hang it in a gallery. Still, the joy of creating something—even if it's surreal and a bit crooked—made me feel accomplished. I guess that’s what art is all about, right?

Absolutely not!  Where things go wrong is if we have too much pride to admit that we cannot do something without help.  I can't get through a day without God's intercession.  I couldn't have completed my painting project without help from the ladies at Hammer & Stain.  A good example of where my project could have gone wrong is that I'd picked silver for words.  When getting ready to remove the stencil, I was told the silver might not show up well on the background stain.  I invested good money into this sign and I'm not too proud to take suggestion so I got used white paint for the words.  Some of the silver shows through and I added silver for accents to give it a bit of pizazz.  

According to Britannica, 

"sinful pride disposes a person to think more of oneself than one ought to, with no recognition of or appreciation for the gifts one has received from God."

When I go to the gym and I perform 3 sets of 1x5 deadlifts increasing the weight for each set, I am the one that puts in the work using my God given abilities.  I can be proud of my effort but shouldn't forget Who gave me the body that moves so that I could do the work. 
I am very open to correction and suggestion from the coaches. They are trained and certified to teach us the movements and they want to keep us from hurting ourselves.  

I hope what I've written this morning makes sense. Achieving something worthwhile brings a sense of pride, and that feeling can be quite fulfilling. It’s important to take a moment to appreciate your hard work and the success that follows. Celebrating your accomplishments can boost your confidence and motivate you to pursue more goals. However, while it is natural to feel proud, it’s essential to remember the source of your abilities and achievements. God plays a significant role in every success. Every step you take, every skill you develop, and every goal you reach happens because of the opportunities and talents bestowed upon you. Acknowledging this keeps your pride in check and helps you stay grounded. Remember to express gratitude for the support and guidance you receive along the way. Balancing pride with humility is vital for personal growth and maintaining a right perspective on your journey.

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