When Your Up Become Your Down

I have found that the quickest path down is up. This is counterintuitive. It doesn’t makes sense. How can up lead to down? How can I go in opposite directions at the same time? The implication is that these two take place at the same time, but they don’t. They alternate.

Let me explain with a brief synopsis of my own life. You maybe saying at this point, please do because I’m lost. I’m feeling lost myself the more I write so I’ll use this illustration to explain.

I would say that I have some bright spots in my life. I wish I had more, but in the words of a friend from the Netherlands, “Vat to do”, which is his accent of “what to do.”

Throughout my academic years I have excelled in most of my classes. Education was a big part of my family because of my dads insistence. He didn’t finish school so he made sure we as children worked hard in our academics.

I graduated Cum Laude with my Associates of Arts, Bachelor’s and Masters Degrees. These accomplishment made me feel very proud. I would not say much but inside I felt proud. I knew my dad was proud of me even though he is dead. I did it. This created a sense of pride within. I was up. Someone would say, “I was high on my horses.” However, I fought hard to remain neutral about it. 

When it came time to take my exam for my licenses to be a Licensed Psychotherapist, I failed on two attempts. I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it. Me, the smart one? Can’t be. But it was. I was floored. But because failure is an event, I didn’t see myself as a failure. I tried again, and passed. 

The irony is that on one of the exams I missed by one point. That’s crazy. I was humbled. I could now relate to others who have had the sting of academic failure; my up led to my down overnight. I thank God for the experience. Solomon says that pride goes before a fall. Uzziah the king found this out the hard way and ended up losing his throne. 

But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar. (2 Chronicles 26:16 NLT)

Here are 3 sure-fire ways to avoid the down:

1. Guard your heart against pride
2. Think of others more highly than you do yourself 
3. Always remember it is God who gives you all you have; He is the ultimate Source

What’s your thoughts on pride? Do you agree with this assessment? Whether you are in agreement or not, I would love to hear from you. Please leave your comment below.