“In Greek mythology, Narcissus (nar-cis-us) was a handsome young man who caught sight of his reflection in a pond, fell in love with his own image, toppled into the water and drowned. So “narcissism” is an excessive love for oneself, an unbounded admiration of “self.”
Taken from The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling by John R. W. Stott
There is Healing in Humility. St. Augustine, prayed, “Lord, make me humble, but not yet.”
There is a difference between pride and standing up for yourself. It’s not prideful to talk about your strengths in a job interview. Especially in the Christian world we need strong men who will take a stand and speak the truth. Mark Driscoll was able to speak the truth that what was going on at James River Church was wrong because they had a former male stripper take his shirt off, swallow a sword and climb a pole. I think many people looked at this and said that is what we need. We need to get rid of these things that are wrong. We need to stand up for the truth.
Daniel chapter 4 is an amazing chapter because it is not written by a great guy who was an amazing warrior for Jesus. No, this was the evil king who tried to throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fire. He also destroyed Solomon‘s great temple that was built for the Lord. Your God used him to be the narrator of this chapter in the Bible. We read,
“‘Now these were the visions in my mind as I lay on my bed: I was looking, and behold, there was a tree in the midst of the earth and its height was great. The tree grew large and became strong And its height reached to the sky, And it was visible to the end of the whole earth.” Daniel 4:10-11 NASB1995
The King has this dream and it is God wanting him to repent. It’s been said, “You can lead a man to the water, you cannot make him drink” sometimes life as a pastor feels like herding cats. This King eventually understands that God remove his kingdom if he doesn’t turn to God.
After he has his dream and it is interpreted by Daniel, the king goes on for another 12 months. After the 12 months he loses his sanity. He begins to act like the wild animals that begins to eat grass for seven years. 
What does Nebuchadnezzar mean? Nebuchadnezzar is the Hebrew form of an Akkadian name, which translates to “May Nebo protect the crown.”
I wonder what grass the King ate, did he like St. Augustine grass for breakfast, Perennial grass at night, and Bermuda grass for lunch? It gives new meaning to the phrase “Another one bites the dust.”
Here this King was considered the greatest king of the Babylonian Empire and is credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Because of Nebuchadnezzar the Israelites lived in Babylon for seventy years.
As we read we truly see the power of God. If he was the greatest king in Babylon, he’s a representation of confusion. He’s over there eating grass. How great is your king when he is unable to do basic things. He was an ancient king that dealt with a very modern problem, pride.
“While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you,” Daniel 4:31 NASB1995
“At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me.”Daniel 4:36 NASB1995
He had 12 months to repent.. This was not like Mary Cunningham situation where the person is just real sweet, soft-spoken and kind. This was a leader, who demanded that they bow down to him and put up 100 foot statue of himself. He was ready to throw people in the fiery furnace, but they didn’t bow down. That’s why America is the best country in the world.
It took him seven years to understand this lesson.. this is how stubborn he was.. it took Jonah three days to understand this lesson. It took Saul about three days.
Why did God make Nebuchadnezza eat grass for seven years? Because that’s how long it took for him to turn to the Lord.
What do you do when someone is doing something really dumb? Did they have a fence around where the king was? Did Daniel go after him and look after him for a short period of time. I think so.
Pride will hinder your blessings. God gives grace to the humble
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”” Daniel 4:37 NASB1995
Some have said, “Is God a narcissist? He has people worship Him all the time.” Does a narscisist give his life go on the cross for the sins of the world?
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”” James 4:6 NASB1995
Creation takes order. If God created our brain, how should we use it? In the story we see Nebbechanezar lose his mind. It is a reminder for us that God gives to us reason. This was what life would’ve been without God.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8 NASB1995