Pity Party… “Elijah was afraid… and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said.” 1 Kings 19:3a, 4b
We can feel sorry for ourselves when our faith has been frazzled and fear intimidates us. I sometimes exclaim, ‘Lord I’ve had enough!’ I may even host a pity party in my heart, but not so surprisingly I am the only one who attends. Health issues, financial frustrations, relational conflict, spiritual disappointments and circumstances out of our control all contribute to self-pity. Has your confidence been crushed? Have you gone from a spiritual high to a new low of anxiety? Have hope; there is a righteous road to relief.
Great men and women of God are not immune to severe insecurities. Elijah is one day calling down fire from heaven, and soon after is huddled, frightened and depressed in a cold cave. Isolation feeds our insecurities. It is in our struggles that we need the prayers and support of God’s people. Maybe you have always been the one on the giving end, but now it’s your opportunity to receive. You bless others when you accept their sincere love.
You can depend on God’s protection when you do God’s work. His resources are never reluctant to get involved with a humble heart. So lift your focus from yourself and your sorry situation, and seek Him. He has the grace you need to get through tough times, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). Your weakness is an opportunity for Christ’s power to rest on you.
Moreover make sure mental, emotional or physical fatigue have not flattened your faith. Get away and rest in the Lord. Take long walks and take in the wonders of Christ’s creation. You may need to play before you can pray. Perhaps you engage a Christ-centered counselor to help you process your angst and anguish. Lastly, volunteer in service for Jesus and your self-pity will transition into love for others. Thus we pray, ‘How can I love my way out of my lamentations?’ “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints” (Philemon 1:7).
Related Readings: Numbers 20:16; Psalm 34:17; Acts 6:8; Romans 5:2
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
