Have
you ever had a pity party? The prodigal son's brother did. The
prodigal who had sinned deliberately had now repented, but the brother
was too concerned with himself to join the celebration. The angels in
heaven were having a raucous celebration, but he was out on the front
porch pouting. Self-pity is a curse. It trades the joy of heaven and a
deep sense of contentment for anger and self-worship.
In addition, it eliminates opportunity for service. Standing on the
front porch, he was of absolutely no value to anyone. And finally, his
pity party undermined the unity of the family. It was just as much
deliberate disobedience as the action of the prodigal. Pity parties can
be devastating to everyone.
What was the cause of his self-pity? First, an overestimation of his value. He thought the place could have never made it without his faithful service. Yeah, right. Next, he had the old problem of pride. You don't really believe that, as he claimed, he had never disobeyed his father's commands, do you? Third, he had restricted vision. He had had everything for years: his father's daily love, provision, protection, and on and on. Now, he was angry that he didn't get a party too. Do you think if his dad would have said, "Okay, go live a couple months in a pig pen sharing their meals, and I'll give you a party too," that he would have run off to find the hogs?
What is the cure for self-pity? To rest in two amazing truths: that we have His abiding presence every moment of our lives; that we have His promise of abundant provision both now and forever. What "more out of life" do we really need?
So, next time you feel like throwing a pity party which will destroy your joy and contentment, make you useless to serve, and sow discord among the family, meditate on those things you have in
Christ Jesus--it's more than you could ever earn or deserve. Stop feeling sorry for yourself--it is really idolatry. You're just worshiping yourself in the presence of God. Talk about arrogance and pride. Spend your life on the front porch wondering where all your friends went, why God isn't using you, and why everyone else is joyously celebrating their Christian life and God's ready forgiveness, or join the party--and enjoy the abundant life God wants you to "wallow" in.
What was the cause of his self-pity? First, an overestimation of his value. He thought the place could have never made it without his faithful service. Yeah, right. Next, he had the old problem of pride. You don't really believe that, as he claimed, he had never disobeyed his father's commands, do you? Third, he had restricted vision. He had had everything for years: his father's daily love, provision, protection, and on and on. Now, he was angry that he didn't get a party too. Do you think if his dad would have said, "Okay, go live a couple months in a pig pen sharing their meals, and I'll give you a party too," that he would have run off to find the hogs?
What is the cure for self-pity? To rest in two amazing truths: that we have His abiding presence every moment of our lives; that we have His promise of abundant provision both now and forever. What "more out of life" do we really need?
So, next time you feel like throwing a pity party which will destroy your joy and contentment, make you useless to serve, and sow discord among the family, meditate on those things you have in
Christ Jesus--it's more than you could ever earn or deserve. Stop feeling sorry for yourself--it is really idolatry. You're just worshiping yourself in the presence of God. Talk about arrogance and pride. Spend your life on the front porch wondering where all your friends went, why God isn't using you, and why everyone else is joyously celebrating their Christian life and God's ready forgiveness, or join the party--and enjoy the abundant life God wants you to "wallow" in.
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