Day 2317 of the 7 day Bible verse challenge.

Proverbs 16:18 NIV

Most, if not all of us have this innate problem that we've developed. Maybe it's a result of living in a world that has nearly no concept of wrong. Maybe it's just a product of our deceitful minds wanting to do whatever we want without having to weigh the consequences. Whatever the reason, we've somehow gotten it in our minds that we're incapable of making mistakes. We've become conceited to the point that we actually believe that we never get anything wrong. And while that may make us feel good, there's no avoiding the truth that tells us otherwise!

Each of us make the wrong choices. We jump to conclusions. We take things out of context. We rush through things. We assume that we know what someone else is talking about without making sure. We answer before we hear the full question. We hear things that someone else doesn't necessarily say. We let things slip out of our mouths that we may not really mean. We give in to selfishness without weighing the consequences. We speak without thinking. We act without considering. We hear without listening. We get all sorts of things wrong every single day. But that truth goes against this picture of perfection that we're trying to sell. And that just can't happen.

We don't want the world to know that we're not perfect. Our pride tells us that we can't let anyone see our flaws or weaknesses. We can't risk being seen for who we really are because people may not like what they see. We can't admit that we've messed up because then that door is open, and many can't bear the thought of being wrong. But what we need to understand is that by building ourselves up into these perfect humans, we're only heading for a harder fall when the truth inevitably comes out. Putting ourselves up on this pedestal that only gets higher and higher is only going to hurt worse when that tower gets kicked out from under us.

That's exactly what this verse in Proverbs is reminding us. Pride tells us that we can't possibly be wrong, but as wonderful as that may feel, it doesn't change the fact that sometimes we are. It's never fun to face reality. It's not enjoyable to have to look at ourselves and admit that we've screwed something up. It's not comfortable having to apologize to someone because we got something wrong. But as painful as it may be, it's much easier than that sudden drop when the floor finally cracks in the glass towers we've been living in. Better a little humility that keeps us grounded than a lot of arrogance that leads us to a shattering fall from grace.

The fact is that getting things wrong happens to all of us. The problem lies in not being willing to admit it. We can't learn if we're convinced that we don't need to. We can't grow if we think we're already good enough. We won't improve if we don't acknowledge the areas that need some work. Pride tells us that we're better than we really are. But, as we've covered a whole lot here recently, the truth is the only thing that actually helps us. So we can go right ahead and keep listening to the pride that tells us that we're never wrong or we can face the fact that we have room to improve.

I hate to be the one to burst anyone's bubble. Well, actually, no I don't. Sometimes we need a reality check. Sometimes we need to come back down and understand that being perfect is only a fantasy that none of us will ever be able to attain. And that's okay! That's what I think so many have forgotten. It's okay to not be perfect. That's not the problem. The problem lies in thinking that we are and missing the chances to grow along the way. Making a mistake is only an opportunity to make an improvement. But we will never be able to see that if we're blinded by prideful arrogance.

Look, we're going to be humbled one way or the other. We may as well do it the slow and steady way instead of the sudden and painful one!

#LeaveNoSoulUntold