Is it ok to be proud?

God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. I Peter 5:5

It is right for me to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me. Romans 15:17

God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus...As the Scripture says, "The person who wished to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.  I Cor 1:30-31

God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Gal 6:14

There are times when it is appropriate to be proud.  Often times you will experience feelings of great satisfaction for what God is doing through your life.  Those are the times it is okay to boast about what God is doing!  There is nothing wrong with feeling pride in a job well done when you have honored God in your task.  God blessed you with the gifts, skills and/or talents to do the job well.

Likewise it is okay to be proud of your children (or so I am told lol) as they are a gift from God.  When you read Paul's writings he often times can come across as boastful or proud.  However, he is always boasting about what God has done through him and not about what he is doing himself.  Let's try and look to Paul's example and take pride in what the Lord is doing in each of our lives.  When we do this our focus is on God and not ourselves.

Take a moment today and think about just one thing that God is doing through you.  Take pride in whatever that thing is and don't hold back from sharing with others!  It is good that God be praised so people might see your good works and glorify Him who made you.

I will leave you with one last verse: Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matt 23:12