I hope wherever you are, you know Recovery is with you right where you are.
If we had the choice, would we rather be right and suffer, or be wrong and find peace?
Psychologist and author Dorothy Rowe once shared that when we admit we are wrong, we step into uncertainty. If what we believed is not true, many new possibilities open up. It can take time to find what is right. If we cannot handle uncertainty, we may feel unable to admit we are wrong.
Clear and absolute answers can make us feel safe. They can give us a sense of control. But have we thought about the cost? When we hold too tightly to certainty, we may give up freedom, love, hope, and faith.
This can lead to pride. Pride makes it hard to see our mistakes. It keeps us from asking for forgiveness. It can slow our spiritual growth. Pride can trap us in patterns that harm our mental health and keep us stuck in substance misuse. It blocks change and makes the path of Recovery harder to walk.
Where might pride show up in our lives? It can look like:
- Holding on to past pain and losing hope
- Not forgiving ourselves or others
- Setting standards that are too high
- Being overly sensitive
- Seeing life through pessimism
- Feeling like a martyr
- Holding on to suffering
- Not accepting others as they are
- Seeing ourselves as bad
I see pride in my own life in two ways: sensitivity and high standards.
Earlier this week, my wife shared some feedback with me. She noticed that when she asks me to do something, I sometimes resist. I may roll my eyes or show reluctance. It stirred discomfort in me, and I felt exposed and uneasy.
Another way pride shows up for me is in the high standards I set. I often expect perfection from myself and others. For example, during physical therapy, I feel I must do every exercise every day. If I miss even one, I feel like I have failed. Shame begins to grow.
When we loosen our grip on pride, we make space for healing, connection, and growth.
Here are a few questions to reflect on:
- Do you feel you had no part in your mental health or substance use struggles? Why or why not?
- How has pride grown in your life?
- What would you like to change?
We don’t have to have all the answers today. Just be open to the next small step.
Remember, Recovery is happening right now, in this moment.
Pick up my new book. Your support of my ministry allows me to serve others. Daily Devotional: 12 Steps to Unshakeable Recovery: Winter, L.J.: 9798987012741: Amazon.com: Books
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/