How Pride Destroy Relationships
One positive meaning of pride: a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
Another negative meaning of pride: exceedingly high self-regard.
The word self-regard is striking.
Most of the time, the word pride is used negatively and like a double-edged sword it has two sides.
In a relationship, it takes at least two persons to tango as they say. When conflict occurs in a relationship, pride is the unbreakable wall in between them.
Having a big ego because of your experience, wealth and knowledge will boost your pride. You will fail to listen to your partner or even to other people because you believe you are perfect and right all the time.
A lot of us experience the negative meaning of pride. It destroys relationships because we can’t reach out to our partners and humble ourselves to fix problems. We create our own world by building a barrier making it difficult for interaction.
Possible Signs of a Harmful Pride that destroys relationships:
- You believe you are 100 percent right and it’s not your fault
- You wait for your partner to talk to you instead of you approaching him/her
- You avoid your partner and don’t listen
- You create ways for them to feel sorry first, condemning them next
- You value yourself instead of him/her
- You become selfish and think of yourself more
- You want to win all argument
The more you grip your negative pride on, the more it will hurt you. Stop fooling yourself you are perfect, correct or right all the time.
If you think you are righteous, correct and don’t commit mistakes then go to heaven ASAP – what are you waiting for?
I always believe that the first person to say sorry, humble down and talk about the issue is the stronger one and more mature.
Negative pride is always a bad thing in a relationship. Accept that arguments occur and be open minded all the time. Understand and be considerate of your partner’s feelings, opinions and ideas.
Listen more and stop shouting just to emphasize your point. Maybe you are being violent and loud and it’s your defense mechanism.
As I’ve posted before, usually the first to get mad in an argument is the guilty one. Act like a human by toning your voice and speak warmly or gently.
Be the first to approach your partner and ask his/her needs. If he/she’s not around, maybe write a letter explaining how you want to tackle issues and problems you are going through. Buy some peace offering, it might do the trick.
Of course, the first step is humble yourself and express how sorry you are.
Ezra Benson said “Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.”
If the other is not ready to listen or accept your apology, then try again later and don’t give up. Be confident and strive to solve arguments like a mature man. Talk and settle things comfortably and peacefully.
Negative pride is like a spiritual cancer so treat it fast before it’s too late.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”