The Courage to Agree with God About Who He Say's You Are

Recently, someone told me that I’m prideful. At first, I laughed it off. But after sitting with it for a few days and actually looking into the meaning of the word, I realized something important. That description is very far from the truth and does not accurately reflect who I am.

According to Oxford Languages, prideful is defined as having an excessively high opinion of oneself.

Biblically, pride goes even deeper. It is described as a sinful heart posture of arrogance and self-exaltation that places self-will above God’s will. Often called the root of sin, it reflects dangerous independence from God, selfishness, and disregard for others. It is the opposite of humility and ultimately leads to destruction.

And yet, even as I write this, nothing about that definition agrees with my spirit.

What I believe is often mischaracterized as pride is something else entirely. It is my high regard for myself. My willingness to speak of myself in terms of excellence. My audacity to carry deep, unshaken confidence.

Some believe we should wait for others to affirm us instead of speaking life over ourselves. But here is the truth. I tried that. I waited. I hoped someone would speak the same life into me that I felt stirring within me. A truth I have continually submitted to God without trying to elevate myself in the process. Did I mention that I am as intentional about affirming the beauty, greatness, brilliance, etc. I perceive about others to them OUTLOUD. 

That has very rarely been my experience.

My experience has often been people determined to “humble me”, as if confidence and surrender cannot coexist. As if no one could truly believe they are great and still be submitted to God.

I would argue the opposite.

The reason I believe myself to be who I say I am, is because of two specific ask I had of God.

Who do You say I am? And, let me see myself the way You see me.

And I CHOOSE to believe Him—with my entire being. Does that level of belief sometimes feel burdensome? Without a doubt however, I am a great as I think I am, because God says so!

I ask people this question often...

When was the last time you told yourself you were proud of yourself?

Most people cannot remember.

And with many of those same persons almost instantly, you can see the sadness wash over their face.

The truth is many people are waiting for permission. Permission to believe in themselves without apology. Permission to walk in confidence without shrinking. Permission to own the truth about who they are.

But that permission rarely comes.

And it was never meant to.

Confidence that is rooted in identity is not pride. It is alignment.

When your confidence comes from ego, it isolates you from God.

When your confidence comes from identity, it draws you closer to Him.

There is a difference.

Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself. It means thinking of yourself in agreement with truth. Not inflated. Not diminished. Just aligned.

So, let this be your reminder...

Be as great as God has told you that you are. Not arrogant. Not detached from Him. But, rooted in Him, because your true audience is One.

You are the daughter or son of the King.

You were not created to live small.

You were not designed for mediocrity.

And confidence that is rooted in identity, not ego, is not pride. It is agreement with heaven.

Stay aligned, stay becoming, and never forget... You are who God says you are, but it takes agreement on your part for you to fully live in that!