Self-pity is sinful and self defeating.

Self-pity offends God and harms you and the people around you.

Self-pity shows a lack of gratitude and thanksgiving. It refuses to trust God, and it exalts self.

How do we overcome our self-pity?

First, take your honest feelings and thoughts to God. This is exactly what the prophet Jeremiah did with his complaints (also known as his confessions).

You can read about Jeremiah and his self-pity here: waylonbailey.com/2015/04/08/its-easy-to-feel-sorry-for-yourself/

The confessions of Jeremiah are found in Jeremiah 11:18– 12:6; 15:10–21; 17:12–18; 18:18–23; 20:7-18. These confessions are helpful in showing how a person can speak honestly and forthrightly to God. Telling God how you feel will be a help to you as you deal with your self-pity.

Second, confess your lack of gratitude and exaltation of self. Call it what it is. If you sin, it needs to be confessed to God.

Third, turn your back on self-pity. This is repentance. Repentance is the major step in overcoming any sinful behavior.

Fourth, emphasize gratitude in your life. Years ago we used to sing a hymn entitled “Count Your Blessings.” The song asks you to name the blessings God has given you.

There’s something really valuable in doing that. Listing your blessings makes you focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have.

Finally, remember your purpose. God created you and called you for a special purpose.

Jeremiah overcame his feelings of being forsaken by remembering that God had called him to be a prophet to the nations. When he emphasized what God wanted him to do, Jeremiah got back on track and carried out the work to which he was called.

The good news is that if we are stuck in self-pity or any other sin in our lives, God has given us all we need to live in righteousness before Him.

Let us live in Him with all our hearts.

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