Category: self-pity

Living With Others in Mind #2

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

When anger is coupled with self-pity, depression is the only outcome. Feeling sorry for self is, frankly and literally, selfish. “I have it so rough and I do not want to be here anymore!” This is immature. We need to shut our mouths and do some Bible study and adult spiritual thinking before we say anything else.

Firstly, if we are willing to look hard enough, we can find someone far worse off than we are. Our troubles do not compare to their difficulties. In fact, we can be quite sure they would love to trade places with us in the snap of a finger, the blink of an eye, the beat of a heart. Having undergone the exchange, we would wish we still had our so-called “problems!”

Secondly, we absolutely (!) must (!) understand the Christian life is the very life of Jesus Christ Himself—not futile attempts to mimic His life (works-religion!), but His very life. It is the Christian life… the Christian life… the CHRISTian life!

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:3-8).

Until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to take us out of this present evil world, Earth is right where He wants us to be. Therefore, perhaps we should assume God knows more than we do, and has a purpose for us here before we get to Heaven….

Living With Others in Mind #1

Monday, June 26, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

Just a few days back, a ministry friend of mine lost a dear friend who had been suffering a brief illness. (Both are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.) In a recent phone conversation, he expressed how he had mixed emotions about her relocation to Heaven. On one hand, he was thankful because he took comfort in knowing she was free from her disabled, frail body. On the other hand, he said how he was deep in grief because she was absent. Yet, as I listened to him, it was more than just mourning her loss. He had become the victim of self-pity, especially since he wanted to leave this sin-cursed world like she did, thereby escaping his own trials and tribulations (failing health, aching body, the death of his wife many years earlier, and so on).

I counseled with him by sharing some information he already knew as a Christian. Those simple Bible truths were forgotten because he had set aside his renewed mind and was now allowing his emotions to dominate him. What I heard from him was, “I am tired of the pain and suffering. I do not want to be here anymore. I want to leave this world.” After hearing his complaints, I posed one question, “Do you know more than God?” There was silence, so I continued by quoting today’s Scripture and its context: “[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. [23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: [24] Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Let us compare and contrast selfishness and selflessness, and use the renewed mind to identify and choose the needful….