THE PATH OF PURITY

Self-pity is a destroyer and is to be resisted at every turn.  Once one is poisoned by self-pity it can become a constant temptation eating away at your soul.  What are the common every day misunderstanding, under appreciations, unfair treatments of life turns into a suspicion that someone is out to get me. It examines all perceived mistreatment with the magnifying power of a telescope but then turns the telescope around when it looks at its own ehavior or the needs of another.  There is no capacity to even temporarily suspend their selfishness to focus their energy to serve someone who truly is in need.

To everyone else not poisoned by self-pity, self-pity is an ugly cesspool of anger, bitterness, and hatred.  But to the person who has been poisoned self-pity is a seductive addictive poison.  The sirens of jealousy, envy and past memories of hurt seduce them to sip the poison again and again.

The tendency and propensity to feel sorry for yourself because you are not getting what you think you deserve is what drives self-pity. The person infected with it assumes they are entitled to better treatment than they have received.  What is at the heart of self-pity is self-centeredness and pride.

Self-pity by pride and self-centeredness kicks God off His throne and boldly proclaims I deserve to sit there, failing to realize that God has made them from nothing, and breathed life into their soul. He gave His Son for them. They have no “rights.” All is a gift.  They belong to the Creator.  Even if He were evil, resenting Him would be utter stupidity since he is the potter and they are the clay.

Self-pity is always preceded by envy and jealousy. “I want what you have” is envy. It can also express itself with resentment because “I deserve what you have.” And Jealousy is the unfounded fear that “You might take what I have.” Cain envied Abel. He should have rejoiced in his brother’s acceptable sacrifice but instead he felt that he deserved the approval that Abel was getting. He refused to do what is brother did and then in his anger and self-pity he plotted, then killed his brother (Gen. 4:5-8).

Anger gives voice to self-pity.  Deploring bitterly the good or better treatment that someone else receives.  They want what others are getting but since they aren’t anger erupts. It rains down its ugly debris on all those close by—family members, friends, and associates it matter little to them. A bitter and unforgiving heart assures that self-pity will not only continue to live but will grow like a malignant cancer..

Meditate on this all who are infected by the poison of self-pity. When Jesus predicted His own suffering and death, Satan spoke through Peter and said, “Far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Jesus could have said, “You’re right. This is a raw deal. I can’t believe the Father is doing this to me. After all, I’m the sinless Son of God.” But Jesus did not say that. Instead, He turn and ordered Satan to get away from Him and then said to the man Peter you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matt.16:22-23.  This is why we are all commanded to follow His example.  “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in the nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8.

Next up, how to overcome self-pity.