You're Invited to a Party

Woe is me, for I am undone....

Isaiah 6:5

Join me. I don't give or attend these parties very often but they come my way, usually because of my own doing. Many times, this kind of party becomes a very private one, with me the only one in attendance. Here's a sample invitation:

You Are Invited

to a

Pity Party

Where: Anywhere you happen to be.

   When:  Anytime....anywhere

                                      Date: Most any day, week or month of the year

                                                 Bring: Large box of Kleenex

                  No RSVP necessary...in fact, you can have your very own pity party!

What is pity? It is usually a sympathy and sorrow aroused by the misfortune or suffering of another person. That can be a healthy thing to feel for others. However when that pity turns inward becoming self pity, it can be toxic. Self pity is a horrible thing to endure even for a moment. It is the highest form of pride because one's mind rests only on self and what that inner self is feeling and suffering. When not put in check, one can take on the mentality of a victim and when at that point, is very difficult to work through, although with God, nothing is impossible.
 

What are some things that may cause this negative introspection in us. Causes can run the gamut from A to Z. And those things won't necessarily be the same for every person. Some of those things can usually fall into one category....loss (job, loved one, romantic relationship, etc.). Other things may involve financial difficulties, disappointment of some kind (and this can be a biggie) and even misunderstandings. I know the negative things that push buttons in my life so I try to be aware of the onset of those things so I can get a grip on them before they get a grip on me.
 

Job had a good life. He was a wealthy man and well respected. He had a wonderful family. Job was so dedicated, he arose every morning presenting sacrifices for his children just in case they had cursed God. This put him in the position of being the priest of his family. His life was very blessed with money and livestock...life was good. Satan didn't have any admiration for Job and with God's permission, put Job through the testing of a lifetime. For the most part, Job ended up losing everything. His children were killed, but his wife lived. After he lost his health, even his wife suggested that he curse God and die...talk about support.
 

We read through the book of Job and see with no thanks to his friends, he ended up in the pit of despair. He got to the point of even regretting that he had been born. Been there? I have known women who have been there. Some have rebounded from their feelings but some seem to wallow in the despair for months and perhaps years. 
 

What is the opposite of self pity?.....gratefulness. Sounds odd doesn't it. When in the pit of despair, it doesn't seem the time to be grateful. Gratitude takes ones mind off of self and onto others or focuses us on the good things that God has done for us. It takes practice but it works.
 

Even when we don't feel like it, we can force ourselves to think on the things God has given us. Keep counting and perhaps even list those things on a piece of paper...keep going...think. This will be a very difficult thing to do but it's the best shovel we can find that digs us out of that abyss of self pity. Listed are some things for a start:
 

Personal salvation

Life itself

Good health

God's grace

Family

Income

Food to eat

Holy Spirit

Own copy of God's word

Freedom to worship

Living in a free country

God's provision

Transportation to take you where you want to go

Nice weather

Clothes to wear

God's love
 

Feel better yet? Well there are more things to add to that list. Even some of those things listed above may not be the most ideal in your life, but there are those that do. Staying in Scripture is a huge help for me. I have those Scriptures marked that I can go to immediately when those tough times begin to set in. We can cry on every shoulder we can find in these times of self-pity but the only shoulder we should run to is our Lords. He tells us, “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” That's an open ended offer from the One who is the only One who can give us a complete, long-lasting time of rest. Forget the pity party...His offer is the best thing we could ever take advantage of.

For pity sakes, cancel that party, put that Kleenex box back on the shelf and walk in a spirit of gratitude.

Dear Father...Times of pity seem to sneak up on us so quickly but can hang around for the longest time. Help me to run to Jesus first thing and to trust you in my every circumstance. I