JAMES DAY 31 - Dangerously Overconfident

DAY 31
DANGEROUSLY OVERCONFIDENT
Proverbs 16:18

Some people suffer from a lack of confidence. “I could never do that” or “I’m just not good enough.” But sometimes we’re too confident. Maybe you bragged about it: “Bet I can beat you in a race - see you at recess!” Maybe you told a few close friends: “I’m going for that job…” “What?!? You? Are you sure?” “Yeah, I’ve got this!” Maybe you told nobody else, just quietly said to yourself: “I can do it.”

Some of you did! You pulled it off! You got the job, you landed the date, you ran the 5k, you finished the project, you retired with class.

Some of us didn’t. Maybe you failed spectacularly! Maybe you even had an “epic fail!” Some failures, like the many Pinterest fails online, are funny. But some are scary. I nearly broke my neck riding my bike trying to do tricks I was sure I could do.

We all fail, sometimes because we are overconfident. We need a healthy amount of self-confidence, but there’s a point at which confidence becomes cockiness - even pride. Pride is dangerous. Proverbs 16:18 is only one of many places in Scripture to warn us that pride paves the way to massive failure.

How do we avoid the dangers of pride? This week, we’re reading James 4:11-5:6. In this passage, James shows us how to prevent pride. One way to prevent pride is learning how it shows itself in different parts of our lives. James wants faith that works, faith that is usable and life-changing. Faith that works helps us prevent pride and the dangers of overconfidence.

REFLECT
When have you made a big mistake because of overconfidence?

PRAY
Lord, I know I need a healthy amount of self-confidence, but I know I can also be overconfident - even proud. Shine a light on my heart to show me my pride. Root it out and show me a better way. Amen.