No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity, because it obliterates God and puts self-interest upon the throne. – Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
As one of my daily devotionals, this sentence spoke to me. My constant effort is to put God first, both in my thoughts and when considering my actions. But as my mind wanders, I find it easy to go down the road of self-pity.
“Woe is me! My wife is gone. My life is hard. I can’t make it. I am so alone.” And so on.
Here is what Chambers reminds me: it’s not about me, it’s about God. When everything is about “I’ and “me” then I am placing myself above God, placing my problems above God’s glory. Excuse me while I finish eating my humble pie.
I know a woman who lost her husband last year. When asked how she is doing, she responds that she has been blessed with wonderful children, a great husband of many years, her health, home and so on. It is inspiring. She chooses to focus on God’s blessings and not on her own suffering. She could have just as easily say, “My life is a wreck! How will I go on?” but she chooses to place God above herself.
I’ve often heard people speak of their woes only to then turn to me and say, “But then I think of YOU and how bad YOU have it.” Some people feel like they should not feel bad about their struggles because someone else has it worse (in their mind). But I say we all have our cross to bear as assigned by God. Who am I to say my situation is worse than someone who is divorced or has a sick loved one or lost their job? I am no one to say that. I bear the exact thing that God wills me to bear. And I try to take strength from the fact that He knows I can handle it and He has a plan to use the struggle for my spirtual and/or character development.
