Pride

The pride cycle isn't something that I automatically think of when I think of marriage.  But, the reality is, pride is everywhere, including marriages.

We have been warned by Prophets of the damage of pride, but it is a lesson that everyone seems to

need to learn over and over again.

In his talk titled Beware of Pride, given in the April 1989 General Conference, President Ezra Taft Benson helps us understand pride a bit better. He says "Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance." "Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing." "The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us."

President Benson then says that when we are prideful towards God we are putting our will before the will of the Lord.

What does pride look like in a marriage then?

Pride can hide itself in things that you don’t even think of.

What about those days when you come home from work and see your spouse just sitting on the couch doing nothing.  How do you react? Is your initial reaction one of anger and questions like “Why are you just sitting there?” “I work all day and come home to find you being lazy again.”

That would be pride, you’re putting yourself before your spouse. 

Perhaps your spouse had spent the entire day deep cleaning the house and this was their first time sitting down.  Or maybe they had just received a phone call and were processing the information.

Or what about when an argument comes into play?

Do you play the

“Let’s see who will apologize first?” game. Yes? That’s pride.

Do you hold grudges?

Are you unforgiving?

Do you sit and let the anger steam?

These are all natural tendencies that we have as humans, but they are also so prideful and can be so damaging to yourself, your spouse, and your marriage.

Every one suffers with pride, the scriptures are covered in examples of the pride cycle.

We have to try and push pride out of our lives, if we can do that we will experience a greater joy.