Pride That Glorifies

What are you most proud of in your life?

If you asked me what I’m most proud of, I wouldn’t start with accomplishments you can frame or post on LinkedIn. I’d start with the quiet, unfiltered truth: I’m proud that I’ve lived. That I’ve said yes to experiences that stretched me, scared me, and shaped me. That I’ve carried myself through the unexpected turns of life with both grit and grace.

I’m proud that I served in the U.S. Navy, not because it was glamorous (it wasn’t), but because it taught me discipline, resilience, and how to sleep through chaos. I’m proud that I finished college, even when it meant balancing work, family, and endless deadlines. And I’m proud that I can order coffee in French, ask for directions in Korean, understand a drama in Filipino, and awkwardly fumble my way through Japanese and Spanish, all while realizing language is more than words. It’s connection. It’s humility in practice.

When I look back, I see that pride isn’t about boasting. It’s about gratitude in motion, thanking God for where He’s taken you, even when the path didn’t look anything like the plan.

As Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Every season I’ve lived through, whether military bases, foreign cities, or language classes where I mixed up verbs and vowels, was part of that good work.

🌿 The Unexpected Beauty of Becoming

I used to think pride came from crossing finish lines. But now, I see it’s born in the middle; the places where you keep showing up when it would be easier to stop. Every milestone I’ve reached has roots in moments no one saw: homesickness during boot camp, late-night studying after a long shift, or trying to fit in somewhere that didn’t quite feel like home.

Author Brené Brown once said, “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” My story is still unfolding, but I’ve learned that pride can be holy when it comes from perseverance, not perfection.

✨ Soul Insights

1. Pride with purpose is different from ego.

True pride is anchored in purpose, not performance. It says, “Look what God helped me do,” instead of, “Look what I did.” There’s a quiet strength in acknowledging your progress without losing sight of the Source. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Every victory is safer when it’s surrendered.

2. Service teaches identity, not just duty.

Serving in the military stripped away the fluff. You learn fast who you are when comfort is gone. It taught me that leadership begins with humility, and strength isn’t loud, it’s steady. Helen Keller once wrote, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened.” I found my identity in the doing, not the declaring.

3. Learning languages is learning empathy.

Every time I stumble through a sentence in another language, I’m reminded of my own humanity and others’. It’s a holy act of bridge-building. It’s one thing to translate words; it’s another to translate hearts. Romans 12:10 whispers, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Every new word I learn is an act of honoring someone else’s world.

4. Education isn’t about degrees; it’s about endurance.

Finishing college wasn’t a straight path. It was a faith marathon. There were detours, doubts, and divine nudges to keep going. I didn’t just earn a diploma; I earned resilience. Albert Einstein once said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” Education shaped my thinking, but endurance shaped my spirit.

5. The real reward is growth.

At the end of every accomplishment, there’s a moment where you realize the external reward fades, but the internal shift remains. Growth is God’s quiet applause. Isaiah 40:31 promises, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles.” Pride rooted in growth doesn’t puff up,it lifts.

🌏 Final Thoughts

I’ve lived in different countries, worn different uniforms, and spoken different tongues, but the most beautiful journey has been inward, the path back to gratitude. Pride, when redeemed, becomes worship. It’s saying, “God, thank You for helping me become who I couldn’t without You.”

What I’m proud of isn’t the résumé, it’s the renewal. It’s the evidence of grace that followed me through every chapter.

💬 Call to Action

Take a moment today and list three things you’re proud of. Not because they impress others, but because they represent growth. Then thank God for each one. You’ll start to see that pride can be a form of praise when it’s rooted in humility and gratitude.

While you’re here, please check out my book 17 Syllables of Me on Amazon and my website SoulPath Insights.

Thank you for reading! 🤗

Soul Path Insights