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March 25, 2021 / Jeffrey Kelly
“I should have done this years ago, but my pride wouldn’t let me.”
A client recently shared these words with me after finally deciding to file for bankruptcy. She had struggled for years, watching her debt grow until creditors began garnishing her wages. When she finally signed the court papers, she sighed in relief and said, “I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders.”
So why do so many people wait longer than they should to file for bankruptcy?
The answer often comes down to one word: pride.
Pride and the Cost of Waiting
I understand it completely—because I struggle with pride too. Many of us do.
How many marriages have fallen apart because of pride? Probably more than we’d like to admit. How many friendships have ended because someone refused to apologize? How many people suffer in silence rather than ask for help?
Pride convinces us to keep fighting a losing battle long after we should have looked for another way out. And sometimes, the cost of that pride is far greater than we realize.
My Own Lesson in Pride
Not long ago, I had a firsthand experience with just how stubborn pride can be.
I planned a kayaking trip with my teenage daughter on the Etowah River, from Neel’s Landing in Bartow County to the YMCA ramp in Floyd County. It didn’t look that far on the map. In my mind, it would be a fun, adventurous day.
I assumed my daughter would love it. I was wrong.
As soon as we got in the water, she said, “I hate this. Let’s paddle back and bail out.”
I should have listened. But I didn’t. Why? Pride. I didn’t want to be a quitter.
An hour into the trip, she asked how much farther we had to go. I confidently guessed another hour. I was way off.
After paddling for hours, we stopped to ask a man on the riverbank how far we still had to go.
“Six more hours,” he said.
That was the moment we should have cut our losses. I should have asked for help, found a way off the river, and called my wife for a pickup.
But again—pride.
We paddled for hours in misery until we met a kind young man named Joel, who rescued us and took us to safety. I’ll be forever grateful to him.
The High Price of Pride
How far are you willing to go to protect your pride? How much suffering will you endure—how much will you make your family endure—before admitting you need help?
I see it all the time. People drain their 401(k)s to make payments on debts that bankruptcy would have wiped out. They sacrifice their savings, their health, their peace of mind—all to avoid admitting that they need a fresh start.
The truth is, creditors love your pride. They know you’d rather struggle than admit you need help, and they count on that.
What’s the Real Cost of Pride?
Pride doesn’t just cost money—it can cost your marriage, your relationships, your time, and your health. Stress and anxiety from financial struggles take a real toll.
At some point, we all need grace. The key is recognizing when to accept it.
Let Go of Pride—Take the First Step
Don’t let pride keep you from making a smart financial decision. The math is simple: if your debts are overwhelming and you can’t see a way out, bankruptcy may be the best option.
A free consultation could be your first step toward relief and a better future. Call us today at 770-881-8449.