My beautiful Tewahedo Orthodox sister, the world often celebrates pride, calling it confidence, independence, strength, and freedom. It teaches us to trust ourselves above all else, to believe we do not need to follow God’s commandments, and that we can live as we please. Yet beneath all of this, pride is a silent weight that slowly chains the heart. It whispers that we do not need God, that we are strong enough without Him, wise enough without His counsel, and righteous enough without His mercy. Pride will never lift us upward. It will always draw our heart away from God.
Look to St. Mary, our Blessed Mother. She was chosen not because of pride or self confidence, but because of her deep humility. When the angel announced God’s will, she did not argue, exalt herself, or rely on her own understanding. She bowed her heart and said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” In her humility, heaven touched earth. In her obedience, salvation entered the world.
Pride, unlike humility, weighs us down. Like a heavy stone tied to our steps, it slows our walk with Christ. It weakens our prayers, dulls our spiritual life, and quietly creates distance between our heart and the Lord. Before any outward fall, pride first hardens the heart. That is why the Bible lovingly warns us,
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18, NKJV)
Humility is not weakness, my sister. It is true strength. It is the path of the saints, the beauty of obedience, and it is the very path St. Mary walked with grace and trust. A humble heart is gentle, teachable, and quick to repent. It listens when God speaks and bows willingly to His holy will.
When we choose humility, we choose surrender. When we release pride, we make room for God to guide, correct, heal, and restore us. A humble heart hears God’s voice more clearly, obeys more faithfully, and walks gently in His presence.
If you find pride rising in your heart, gently lay it down and allow grace to take its place. A humble walk with God is always lighter, deeper, and closer.
May the Lord clothe you with humility, surround you with His mercy, and fill your heart with His peace, my beautiful sister. Through the prayers of our Blessed Mother, St. Mary, may your heart grow ever nearer to Christ and ever farther from the ways of this world.
Selam Seyoum
Tewahedo Orthodox Girl 