If a top 5 list existed of the worst moods, self-pity would top that list. Self-pity is one of the only moods that is self-perpetuating. It can swallow any real truth or perspective you throw at it. It’s the black hole of the soul.
Self-pity can swallow light so efficiently because at the root is the denial of the goodness of God. Unbelief says, “if God was good then he wouldn’t have let this circumstance into my life.”
Much of the energy behind my self-pity is simply that I think that I am above my difficult circumstance. That’s good old-fashioned arrogance. “Hard things can happen to other people, but not to me.” Or to put it in Peter’s words, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you.” But when I think I am better than my circumstances, trials are a surprise every time.
Deep down our sinful nature believes that we are too good to suffer. We sense that there is an inner quality about us that should exclude us from suffering.
But Jesus Christ’s example makes that belief look silly. Not because Jesus proves that we are sinners, but because Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering. ”Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
So if the Son of God had to learn obedience through suffering, do you think that we might also have to suffer to learn obedience?
And that’s what stops the gravitational pull of my prideful self-pity. A perfect human being suffered to learn obedience, and so must I.
Jesus’ obedience was life for the world, and God-willing, the fruit of our suffering will be life for others. And that’s something to feel good about.
[...] David Paul Dorr If a top 5 list existed of the worst moods, self-pity would top that list. Self-pity is one of the only moods that is self-perpetuating. It can swallow any real truth or perspective you throw at it. It’s the black hole of the soul. Self-pity can swallow light so effeciently because at the root is the denial of the goodness of God. Unbelief says, “if God was good then he wouldn’t have let this circumstance into my life.” Much of the energy behind my self-pity is simply that I think that I am above my difficult circumstance. That’s good old-fashioned arrogance. “Hard things can happen to other people, but not to me.” Or to put it in Peter’s words, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you.” But when I think I am better than my circumstances, trials are a surprise every time. Deep down our sinful nature believes that we are too good to suffer. We sense that there is an inner quality about us that should exclude us from suffering. But Jesus Christ’s example makes that belief look silly. Not because Jesus proves that we are sinners, but because Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering. ”Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). So if the Son of God had to learn obedience through suffering, do you think that we might also have to suffer to learn obedience? And that’s what stops the gravitational pull of my prideful self-pity. A perfect human being suffered to learn obedience, and so must I. Jesus’ obedience was life for the world, and God-willing, the fruit of our suffering will be life for others. And that’s something to feel good about. [...]