Pride is not Always Pompous. That’s Why God Gave Me This Dream.

Originally published: November 12, 2022

God has helped me see the subtle nature of pride and the way it can quietly infiltrate our lives. He caught me off guard in an awkward situation where I thought I was justified. I didn’t think there could be any way that I wasn’t right. But as usual, God was right.

Pride is not always pompous. That’s why God gave me a dream.

You see, I had offended somebody without knowing. I only discovered it when I noticed the person was giving me the cold shoulder. They stopped speaking to me and became passive aggressive. I was concerned—but also apathetic because I felt the person could address me about it and not be so snarky. I wanted to confront the issue. In fact, I knew the Holy Spirit was asking me to. But the thought made my stomach turn. So…I did nothing and the situation lingered for a few days.

And then, I had a dream.

I was in a classy, upscale restaurant. It was posh. The average person could never afford fare at such an establishment. I was seated at a bar counter on an adjustable bar stool. To my left and right, I was seated next to rich socialites that could only be described as the snobby elites of society. They were supremely well-dressed with their hair, makeup, shades, jewelry, and money for days! They had to be the most popular people in town, these men and women. Yet, they were haughty as they laughed and socialized.

Eerily, all of our bar stools were adjusted at least 25-30 feet in the air! (I’m naturally afraid of heights, so I was panicked).

I wanted to adjust my seat and come down, but because I was twenty-something feet up in the air—I was terrified. I wanted to come down, but I couldn’t. I woke up.

I asked the Lord, “What does this mean?” And He said to me, “You have pride. You’re so high, you don’t want to come down.”

Bewildered and feeling a little attacked, quite frankly, I questioned if this was because I hadn’t apologized to the person.

My conscience wasn’t free because I knew I had been ignoring the Holy Spirit’s gentle prompting me to address the issue and apologize—even if I didn’t know what was wrong.

I admit that I was refusing.

Like a small child, I whined, “Lord, I don’t understand. I didn’t do anything. I don’t understand.” And the Lord told me, “She is not going to apologize, but you have to.”

I tussled with this in my spirit and that was the start of my adult tantrum.

But with God’s voice comes purpose.

It dawned on me that Jesus did this very thing for me, and for all of us. He paid a price that He wasn’t “supposed” to. He apologized to God on behalf of mankind when He didn’t do anything wrong. He took blows when, unlike me, He was truly innocent and blameless. I caused the offense, but Jesus had to suffer on the cross.

Why should I disobey God now? He never leads me astray, and God was right. As I geared up to apologize for the “mystery offense,” the person was becoming more cold. Indeed, they weren’t going to come around unless I did first.

I was being called to a higher level of humility than I could fathom. I could only marvel that Jesus, being equal with God, humbled Himself to the point of no reputation (Philippians 2:5-8).

Imagine the Son of God being regarded as a nobody as He bled painfully for my transgressions and not His own.

Deeply convicted of the fact that Jesus knows my plight—or rather, I needed to focus on His—I apologized. I told her I was genuinely sorry for whatever I did to offend her, as I see that I’ve done something she did not like.

I found it painful. It felt almost humiliating to apologize to someone for nothing. I lowered myself for something I would usually dismiss as “petty,” and it hurt. I felt a bruise in my ego that I was not accustomed to.

But I also felt the pleasure of the Holy Spirit. Like I passed a test.

“Ah, so this is what growth feels like,” I winced.

“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” — Proverbs 13:10

Pride is any form of self-exaltation, and it lurks anywhere there is strife. It’s not always pompous, but even quiet and subtle. It all comes down to heart posture. And the posture of my heart in God’s eyes was like an uppity socialite rather than a humble peacemaker, according to Romans 12:18.

We should be lifting Jesus at all times (John 12:32). Whenever we exalt ourselves (and yes, our feelings) instead of God, we walk in pride.

“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.” — Hebrews 12:7-8.

My experience is personal, but God deals with each of us as His very own children. He’s invested in our becoming like Jesus. If you let Him, He’ll mold you into a better version of yourself that will bear His image to others. Just remember, it might sting a little!