Avoid Self-Pity
Avoid Self-Pity | January 17, 2024
After a challenging and discouraging day at work, Pete plopped himself on the couch and began wallowing in self-pity. He moaned to his wife, "Nobody cares about me. In fact, the whole world hates me." Without looking up from her work, Pete's wife replied, "That's not true, honey. The whole world couldn't possibly hate you because most of them don't even know you."
Charles Stanley once said, "Self-sins do not die easily." These self-sins are not something we do; they are something we are, hence their subtlety and power. Some of these self-sins, for example, are self-righteousness, self-pity, self-promotion, self-admiration, and others like them. The message today will focus on the hidden cancer of self-pity. If not treated, self-pity can wreak havoc within your heart and possibly lead to your demise, but you have a choice. Consider two of the most notable examples in the New Testament—Peter and Judas. Jesus Himself chose both men to be His disciples! However, both men willfully failed. Peter denied Christ, and Judas betrayed Him.
The difference was their reactions. Peter wept bitterly and repented while Judas hid in shame and self-pity. Because God seeks to forgive those who repent, He restored Peter.
In Luke 22:59-62, we read Peter's third and final denial about his connection to Jesus: "About an hour later someone else insisted, 'This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.' 60 But Peter said, 'Man, I don't know what you are talking about.' And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord's words flashed through Peter's mind: 'Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.' 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly."
Jesus not only restored Peter, but he also used him to preach, reaching over 3,000 with the message of forgiveness. I guess you couldn't pick a better person to teach about God's mercy than Peter!
Judas, on the other hand, didn't turn back to Christ; instead, he hung himself. Matthew 27:5 says, "So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself."
Sadly, Judas traded Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, but that wasn't the only bad trade he made that day. Judas sold his life as well. He allowed self-pity to ruin him. Had he turned, repented, and put his faith in Jesus, there is no doubt that God would have received his heartfelt confession and profession of faith.
Therefore, you want to avoid, at all costs, having a pity party over past failures. Your best recourse is to repent and trust in the grace of Almighty God.
Charles Stanley once said, "Self-sins do not die easily." These self-sins are not something we do; they are something we are, hence their subtlety and power. Some of these self-sins, for example, are self-righteousness, self-pity, self-promotion, self-admiration, and others like them. The message today will focus on the hidden cancer of self-pity. If not treated, self-pity can wreak havoc within your heart and possibly lead to your demise, but you have a choice. Consider two of the most notable examples in the New Testament—Peter and Judas. Jesus Himself chose both men to be His disciples! However, both men willfully failed. Peter denied Christ, and Judas betrayed Him.
The difference was their reactions. Peter wept bitterly and repented while Judas hid in shame and self-pity. Because God seeks to forgive those who repent, He restored Peter.
In Luke 22:59-62, we read Peter's third and final denial about his connection to Jesus: "About an hour later someone else insisted, 'This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.' 60 But Peter said, 'Man, I don't know what you are talking about.' And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 At that moment, the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord's words flashed through Peter's mind: 'Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.' 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly."
Jesus not only restored Peter, but he also used him to preach, reaching over 3,000 with the message of forgiveness. I guess you couldn't pick a better person to teach about God's mercy than Peter!
Judas, on the other hand, didn't turn back to Christ; instead, he hung himself. Matthew 27:5 says, "So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself."
Sadly, Judas traded Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, but that wasn't the only bad trade he made that day. Judas sold his life as well. He allowed self-pity to ruin him. Had he turned, repented, and put his faith in Jesus, there is no doubt that God would have received his heartfelt confession and profession of faith.
Therefore, you want to avoid, at all costs, having a pity party over past failures. Your best recourse is to repent and trust in the grace of Almighty God.
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2024
January
Focus On FaithfulnessBe Faithful Where You Are NowFaithfulness Requires Patience God's Perfect FaithfulnessGod Blesses FaithfulnessStart Your Year In ChurchGod's Forecast Of Forgiveness Avoid Self-Pity You Can Overcome Distraction White As SnowJumpstart Your Health With FastingMaintain An Active Church Membership Your Most Important DecisionTake Ownership Of Unhealthy Choices
February
Take Notes When Reading The Bible Alternatives To AnxietyYou Need A SquadGod Has Super Bowls Of BlessingFocus On Obedience, Not the Odds We Accomplish More Together Kindness Is Good For Your HealthKindness Is Remembered And RewardedLoose Lips Sink CredibilityKind Words Promote HealingEvaluate All ExcusesTreat People RightComplaining Is Not HealthyLeap Forward In Your Faith
March
May
June
Praying About Panic and PainSurround Yourself With Good People God's Promise To Those Who WaitPrepared By Your PastProtect Your Torch Faith And Flag DayTrust God To ProvideReceiving The Father's BlessingPray Before Making DecisionsGod Is Our Mighty Fortress Carry One Another Remove Whatever Is Contaminating Your MindPray Early And Often Reverence For God's House Trust God For The Impossible What To Do In Times Of Trouble
July
Refuse To Give UpTalk To God During Extreme TestingCelebrate FreedomDelivered From FearPut On Shame RepellentGod's Ears And Our TearsAngels Are In Your CornerTaste God's GoodnessBreak Free With HonestyGod Is Fully Aware Of Your AdversityWe Can Defeat WorryGetting Into A Peaceful State Of MindHealthy Fear Leads To BlessingTrust God To ProvideWellness And Your WordsChase Whatever God ApprovesAre Your Problems Backing You Into A Corner?What To Do When You Drift From God?Think About Releasing Your Stress Lord Direct Our PathPathway To BlessingLord Hear Our PrayerCommunicate Kindness
August
MindfulnessGuard Your MindDealing With Unjust CriticismOn Christ The Solid Rock I StandStop Going Against YourselfGood Decisions Require DiscernmentNegativity Equals Toxicity Listen MoreFlourishing In FaithActs Of Goodness Reverberates In Heaven Thank God It's Sunday (TGIS)Slow Down To Deal With StressKeep Praying For Your FamilyRescue-Me PrayersChoose Your Company WiselyTrust God's GuidanceGod's Mercy Will Never Run Out What To Do When You Drift From God?
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