Breaking Pride - Tearing Down Walls, Walking in His Grace [Kindle Edition]

Pride is such a turnoff when I see it in others. So why is it so difficult to see it in myself? I think of myself as a humble person, but Breaking Pride helped me to see areas of pride I'd never uncovered, much less dealt with. I had to stop reading several times and confess to my Father that I'd been blowing it.

For me, that's the value of this little book. It's not a theological treatise. Neither does it pretend to be an exhaustive treatment of the subject. But the author's vulnerability and sincerity shine through, coaxing me to be more vulnerable about my own failings. Bixler admits, "I'm not a humble person." "I'm afraid of everything." Rather than a conquerer instructing newby soldiers about how they've won every battle, Breaking Pride is more like a fellow soldier telling me what she's learning in the midst of her battle.

I'm a better person for having read this book with an open heart. If it touches you in the same way, it's worth the read.

Churches are pretty big these days and sometimes it's difficult to make a connection with other Christians. We have to really make an effort to find a small group or Bible study in order to meet others. It's even more difficult when you're struggling with something difficult.

The Bible teaches Christians that we need this connection and I know for me, that's a BIG step. I am a private person so it really takes a lot to get me to share what I'm feeling with others, especially if I don't know them very well and not sure how they're going to react.

In Breaking Pride, the author Heather Bixler addresses some of the very same issues that many Christians struggle with, often in silence out of shame, embarrassment or refusal to see the truth about themselves. We often close ourselves off from others out of anger, fear or because we are hurt. Or we may feel that what we have to say isn't important. But when we do this, we make it very difficult to walk in the Spirit of Christ.

Heather shares her own feelings, fears and hurts and provides the scripture to back it up. She reminds us that in order to break our pride, we need to let go of the control that consumes us and the desire to portray a certain image to everyone around us. As we do this, we'll begin to form deep and true relationships with friends, family and most importantly, with God. It's not our sin that keeps us from Him, but our pride.

This is an uplifting book written with a very sweet and peaceful tone. While reading this book, I began to feel a sense of peace knowing that there are so many other people out there, all feeling the same way but afraid to share it.

How do we break pride? By Truth, Prayer and Grace.

Breaking Pride is a compact, uncomplicated book. It is highly readable, written in a conversational style. To read it is like visiting with a trusted mentor in the faith. It won't take long to read it all the way through, and you should do that as a start. After that, you should read through each chapter devotionally. You could read and pray through one chapter each weekday for two weeks. It would be a good way to internalize the principles and start using the guidance for dealing with pride.

Each of the ten short chapters addresses an individual facet of our battle with pride. We think we know all about pride when we quote the proverb, "Pride goes before a fall." Sadly that is only a glimpse of the destructive power of pride. It is easy to forget that Satan uses pride to draw us away from a life of service to others in order to focus on self. Pride builds walls between us and other people and between us and God. There are natural reasons for us to lean on pride as protection and defense. As you read this book, you will learn both the issues underlying the problem and biblical principles that will help you mature in humility and service. The verses at the head of each chapter sum up each principle in the process of breaking your pride without breaking you.

Breaking Pride is a valuable book for anyone who is serious about living faithfully Christ's call to love others as we love ourselves.