Self-Pity vs. Humility

I sometimes confuse humility with self-pity. When confronted with various trials I take some twisted pleasure in self-loathing. I allow the devil to convince me that I am worthless and that my existence is pointless. But this response to any kind of trial is, at the very core, selfish and sinful. You see, my response, being self-focused, assumes that I can solve or eliminate whatever trial it is that I am facing on my own (be it stress at work, illness, relational conflict). But that is simply not so. If I rely on my human abilities in order to face a difficult situation I set myself up for defeat. When I rely on my own very limited ability, then I can do little more than to behold a trial and be conquered by it. If I focus on my suffering rather than on salvation, then surely I will be discouraged to the point of surrender. It is not humble to dwell in self-pity. It is just stupid and sinful.

However, if I focus on the salvation in Jesus Christ, rather than on my suffering, then I will be reminded that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:36-39)

Brothers and sister's, I want to encourage you to focus on your salvation when you are in the face of suffering. Be centered on Christ and what He has done, rather than on what you cannot do! Do not slip into the pit of self-pity! It's really gross down there. You can't breath. You can't see. You can't think. Don't go there! Instead, look up! Look up to the cross. Look up to the empty tomb! Look up to Jesus Christ, seated by the Father! Look up to our Savior, our Creator, our Lover, our Kind and Good and Gentle Redeemer! Cling to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord!

C.J. Mahaney, a pastor in Maryland, discusses this topic in his book "Humility: True Greatness." You can download the audio book for free by following this link.