When you lapse into self-pity
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One of the greatest dangers that can befall us when we find ourselves overtaken by sorrow is to lapse into self-pity.Yet it is so easy to do this. Self-pity is the "Poor me syndrome"; it is pouring pity on ourselves in the hope that the pain we are experiencing may be assuaged.

Sensitive people are most prone to self-pity because they are easily hurt. Sensitivity is a capacity for sympathy and is God's equipment for feeling deeply with others. Used in this way it is a wonderful thing. When it causes us to turn inwards on oursleves, however, it is a violation of God's design for us and drags us down into the most miserable of moods.

The real problem with self-pity is that it replaces God in our lives by a self-centred attempt to deal with our pain. Instead of turning to God in the midst of our difficulties and bringing our pain to Him, we prefer the temporary anodyne of self-pity. We cringe, we whine, we sigh, we complain, we accuse God of forgetting to be gracious, and in this self-engrossed frame of mind we regard our small personal problems as more serious than some of the major tragedies in the lives of others. The pity we lavish upon ourselves eases the pain, but it does so in a way that ignores God.

Self-pity is sensitiveness turned to selfishness; we prefer our own way of dealing with our pain to God's. The only real remedy for self-pity is repentance. We must repent of our stubborn commitment to independently dealing with life's problems and assuaging our pain instead of turning in helpless abandonment to God. Then and only then can self-pity be expelled. Be encouraged.

"Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." Psalm 42:11.

"O God, forgive me that I prefer drawing on my own resources rather than Yours whenever I am in personal pain. I repent of this deeply ingrained tendency within me, and turn to You for comfort, healing and release. In Jesus' name. Amen"

Scriptures on which to reflect:

1.Our proneness to depend on sources other than God: Isaiah 31:1.

2.God alone is the source of our strength: Psalm 57:1.

3.The divine invitation to trust: 1 Peter 5:7.

4.A decision all must make: Proverbs 3:5.

5.Blessing comes from trust: Psalm 40:4.

6.Where there is no repentance there is spiritual death: 2 Corinthians7:10.

7.The way to repent: James 4:9-10.

8.Maintain other-centredness: Philippians 2:4.

********************Letter # 23 ( 24.6.200)********************