Overcoming Self Pity

I have had my share of challenges these past three months trying not to feel sorry for myself when

work had kept me busy to the extreme.

It doesn’t help that we are a small office, and it appeared like everyone else didn’t have to work so hard. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and enjoy what I am doing, but working long hours day after day were overwhelming at times and somedays I needed to take it one step at a time so I would not loose perspective.

One thing is for sure, self-pity won’t go away on its own; we have to choose not to give in to it.

She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent,

and self-pity) she will not eat. — Proverbs 31:27 AMPC

Self-pity is defined by:

 Excessive, self-absorbed unhappiness over one's own troubles.

 Dejectedness, gloominess and depression.

I learned that just because our enemy, the devil, invites us to a pity party, it doesn’t mean we have to attend.

The devil will offer us many reasons why we should attend by reminding us of all that we do

not have in life and tempting us to compare ourselves with other people who seem to have better lives than we do.

If you find yourself attending the pity-party, the good news is you don’t have to stay there because

self-pity will:

 Sap you’re your strength.

 Steal your joy and hope.

 Keep you stuck in place unable to move forward.

 Cause you to sink into depression.

The truth is self-pity has never helped us one tiny bit. It is an enemy and should be treated as such.

We would never knowingly open the door and invite a thief into our home, and yet if we are not careful we will open the door to self-pity and other destructive attitudes when we begin to feel sorry for ourselves.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith.

Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.—1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT

God offers us a choice, and it is one that only we can make. We can choose to enjoy our life or be miserable and unhappy (see Deuteronomy 30:15).

You don’t have to allow self-pity to demolish your dreams and keep you from achieving your highest potential.

Here are a few ideas to help you move on and stay out of the pity-party for good!

 Don’t compare yourself with others: Galatians 6:4-5

 Look for ways to help others: Hebrews 13:6

 Be thankful: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 Guard your thoughts: Proverbs 15:15

 Watch your words: 1 Peter 3:10

Overcoming self-pity begins with being aggressively thankful and doing things for others, because

when we do this, it helps us keep our minds off of ourselves.

Thousands of thoughts run through our head every day. What thoughts will you choose to fill your

mind? Ones that make you make you feel miserable or ones that make you feel powerful? The choice is yours to make.

You’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic,

compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.—Philippians 4:8 MSG

Blessings,

Cindy

When life get's crazy

Life is filled with crazy, complicated moments. It might be the challenge of getting to work on time, to balancing a budget. It could be the unexpected loss of a dear loved one to the prayer request from ahurting friend. In the midst of all the interruptions and hurdles, we can take heart, because God on our side and He will help us overcome.

I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.—John 16:33 MSG Jesus causes our joy to overflow (see John 15:11). He came that we might have and enjoy life (see John 10:10), but there are daily interruptions that want to steal our joy and keep us weighed down with frustration and feelings of helplessness. With God’s help we approach the complications of life with a determined purpose to not let all it distract us away from His divine plan for our lives. It is all about perspective. We can allow ourselves get weighed down or we can give our burdens to God. He promises to not allow us to slip or fail (see Psalm 55:22). I want you to live as free of complications as possible… I’m trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions. — 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 MSG

Living a life of Simplicity

Simplicity is the key when life gets complicated and crazy. Part of the definition of simplicity is “not complex or complicated; sincere.” Simple living involves leading a calm and peaceful life (see 1 Thessalonians 4:11). It means removing the noise and clutter that threatens to rob us of our peace. It means not allowing fearful thoughts and the frantic pace of the world around us to pull us in and away from God. That perspective of allowing God’s peace to settle our heart and mind gives us the assurance needed that He is the way maker even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Simple prayer is talking to God anytime. You don’t need to bother with trying to impress Him with eloquent prayers that aren’t really from your heart. All He wants is that we are having a conversation with Him. It is a two way-street. He wants us to learn to listen for His voice and this requires stillness on our part. Sometimes it means breaking away from the demands of life so we can find a quiet place to hear His inward witness. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything.—Mark 11:23 MSG

When life gets crazy, we can be encouraged God is there, ready to help. We can be fearless no matter what. -Cindy

Only Jesus can heal the broken hearted

Only Jesus Can Heal the Brokenhearted

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. —Psalm 147:3 NLT

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When my husband’s ankle was x-rayed recently, the radiology department took pictures from several different angles. The trained eye of the surgeon reviewed the films and could see that his ankle was whole and ready for Pat to begin walking again. An untrained eye wouldn’t know any better. You would think his condition hadn’t changed at all because all you are looking at are the scars you see on the outside.

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As my husband began to walk based on the direction given by the surgeon he could do so, it was amazing to watch the transformation. Every day were little victories; such as getting to walk an hour during his lunch break, to walking for longer periods of time, to eventually getting to put hard shoes on both feet again. He was especially excited to begin driving with his right foot again. It was a process of trust, knowing he was whole on the inside so he could begin walking whole on the outside.

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Here on this earth you will experience heartache, difficulties andsorrows, and yet Jesus said in John 16:33 we can take heart because He has overcome the world. I like to think that despite all the hurt and disappointment and pain this world brings, He can heal our broken hearts and bandage all our wounds (see Psalm 147:3). He can make all things new again every time (see Isaiah 43:19).

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The dictionary defines brokenhearted as to be overcome by grief or despair. Most people use the term brokenhearted usually to describe a failed relationship or loss of a loved one, but we know it could include so much more such as a job loss, disappointment with a friend, bankruptcy to name a few. Whatever triggered the brokenness, one thing is certain it can hurt deep down to the core of our being. It can cripple you emotionally and mentally and leave you in bondage if you let it.

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When we go to our Great Physician and ask for His healing touch. He is there, lovingly ready to do a masterful job of bandaging our wounds and tenderly nursing our hurts until healing takes place. The process of healing begins on the inside first and He promises to be close by our side during the journey to recovery.

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Maybe today you’re wondering if your heart can ever heal from the losses or disappointments you have experienced along the way. Call on your Great Physician right now.  He loves you, believes in you and has already overcome the world on your behalf. He knows you can’t do it on your own, and He will help you begin feeling whole again. He will help you thrive not just survive. He will bring beauty for your ashes.

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Put your trust in His promises and allow the washing of His Word to begin cleansing your wounds. Allow Jesus to take the burdens and bind up the hurts. Believe He will not fail you or let you down. Trust in Him to help you walk whole and complete again (see Hebrews 13:5-6).

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Cindy Dennis

www.cindydennis.org