Pride Goes Before The Fall

As I reflected yesterday on the events of Monday night, I wondered where I had opened the doorway for the attack.

There was a case where I worked that was difficult. The client seemed not to be getting along with any of the caregivers assigned to them but when I came in, things changed. God gave me the wisdom and grace to get the job done and I got on so well with her that her demeanor changed too. She immediately became happy and that made me feel puffed up that I did what the others couldn’t. But in my moment of glory, reality hit as the Lord pinpointed me to exactly where the door opened.

My sister once told me that whenever I get into the shower I could turn the water on and bless it to be the blood of Jesus as I showered. So as I did that wondering and searching in my mind where I had gone wrong, God opened my eyes to my weakness.  

See, when I was puffed up and excited about having done it, I should know better that it was not me who did it, but the Lord in me. I believe it was the feeling of pride that puffed me up and led to the opening of the doorway to the attack that followed. Our lives are not our own, everything we do, we must remember, the glory should always go back to Calvary. The Glory goes back to Jesus. The Glory goes back to God and indeed, even the word of God says, ‘Pride goes before a fall.’

• Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
  Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.
• Proverbs 16:18 (MEV)
  Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Having reached that realization, I asked for forgiveness and repented from the burden of the guilt and stress because it was so traumatic and a little embarrassing too, but God carried me; I have never been escorted out of a building for not doing my job.

The client called security to her room and said I was not doing my job because for a little moment I had closed my eyes: and I  was to stay awake and watch her sleep!  The security personnel motioned for me to hold my peace and he later explained to me that was the accusation the client presented with the previous care providers too. As per her request, I was escorted out of the building at that moment, which was around 12:00 midnight. My supervisor had warned me not to be surprised if I don’t finish the shift because it was not an easy case but I like to try anyway before I give in. 

Indeed, God has a purpose for every job we come across and I know that everywhere I go, God’s will is done.  It may be a minute, it may be a moment, it may be a day, it may be long or short term …but I thank God that He knows the plan He has for me and He has everything planned for my welfare and for my being.  I thank God for relieving the burden of the stress and I thank God for His faithfulness.  I thank God for the client to this day. I thank God for the fleeting moment of victory and the short pleasant time I was able to bring them relief.

When caring for others very often we have to put our personal feelings and desires aside because when people are sick or unwell their emotions are compromised and the care we give makes the difference for them to recover. Many times they do not recover but that is not in our control. What we can control is the quality of care and comfort we give someone when they are suffering. It is rewarding to bring someone peace in their moment of suffering.

We depend on God’s wisdom and strength to do the difficult tasks and when we succeed all the glory goes back to God. 

‘Heavenly Father, empower us to succeed in everything we set out to do, and help us remember to give the glory back to you.’ we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.