Self pity

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One of the  Giants that we face, as we are in this flesh ( Rom 7:18), is self-pity.

Jesus, Our Master, who came in the sinful flesh(Rom. 8:3) guarded himself against self-pity. Towards the end of His journey, He disclosed to His disciples the humiliation that he would face at the hands of the elders and chief priest. ( Matt 16:21 ). Peter was disturbed and felt pity for Jesus that he should be undergoing this, he told Him, this should not be so.

Though Peter's intentions were humanly good towards Jesus. But Jesus who did His Father's will at all times, knowing that it was the Father's will to go through this, firmly rebuked Peter, who was now influenced by Satan.

Jesus then spoke to Peter and all his disciples to be ready to die, if they desire to follow Him. (Matt 16:24 ).

We see another instance in the life of our Saviour, who is our role model in life. While Jesus was carrying the tree towards Calvary. Some women felt pity for Jesus, as He was innocently going through this suffering. Jesus reacted very strongly, instead of receiving their self-pity, he told them to weep for their own sins and for the sins of their children, which he pointed out to them. ( Lk 23:30).

Jesus guarded His heart from any self-pity, knowing that it profits nothing but rather endangers the walk with God. He did not harbor any revenge in His heart for the ill-treatment that He faced at the hands of men, nor did he tell his disciples to take revenge on the Romans or the people who conspired and sought to kill Him. He was at complete rest knowing that it was the Father's will that He should go through this suffering for the sake of mankind, whom He loved and gave His Life.

There are namely two types of suffering that we go through. One is because of our own wrongdoings and the other is for no fault of ours. In both ways, we love self-pity, even when we are suffering because of our own wrongdoings. ( This is because we tend to live dishonest lives ). 

We are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who left us an example ( 1 Pet 2:21 ) that though he was going through suffering unjustly, never indulged in self-pity.

Being in the flesh we love ( secretly ) to pity ourselves and would like others also to pity us.

When we indulge in self-pity.

  • We take the focus off God and put it on ourselves.
  • We show that the “ Will of God is not so important”.
  • We love to please ourselves.
  • If we continue in this we become “ lovers of self”.
  • Self is enthroned and Christ is dethroned( for that moment ).
  • Self-pity can breed discontentment and unforgiveness.
  • We tend to live dishonest lives.
  • We will want others to know the suffering we are going through and seek their self-pity.
How can we overcome self-pity. ?
  • Look at Jesus - He did not give in to self-pity.
  • Though he faced, rejection from his own family members (Matt 3: 20,21 ), and his own community people, ( Jn 1:11 ).
  • Make a decision to follow in Jesus' footsteps.
  • God's acceptance of us in Jesus, is more important to us than anything else in the world ( fame, money, wealth ).
  • Know whom you belong to, and make a firm decision to belong to Him alone. ( Above all family members and friends ).
  • Know first of all, you are a disciple of Jesus all other relationships are secondary.