“Feeling sorry for yourself is one of the strongest, most addictive narcotics known to man. It feels so good to feel so bad. Self-pity arises so easily, seems so plausible, and proves so hard to shake off.”
HT: JollyBlogger
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Introduction
Welcome! This blog is dedicated to those reforming legalists who want nothing more than to rest wholly in the finished work of Calvary's Lamb. It is my aim to provide helpful insights and posts to help those struggling with the sin of works righteousness fight the fight of faith and come to rest in Christ's finished work. My name is Matthew Blair and I am a dog groomer (yep, a groomer), reformed in my theology, husband to Rhoda, dad to Alexis and Savanah, and a member of Calvary Baptist Church. I would also like to invite you to visit my other blog "Life With A Bible", and my website dedicated to the works and life of Octavius Winslow!Archives
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Hi Matthew,
Really true statement, but the true solution is not commonly taught.
Most counselors will advocate biblical “facts”, and wonderful ones at that. For example, Rom. 8:28, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him…” True, of course, but the “fact” is often not enough, if not appropriated through the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
Or they will advocate behavioral change, like “do your chores”, “serve someone else for a change”, etc.
But the Truth that sets us free (John 8:32) from self-pity is Spirit-taught through meditation and communion with Jesus Christ. Although not specifically listed in Gal. 5:22,23, Lack-Of-Self-Pity is ideally a fruit of the Spirit.
It’s out of that relationship communion with Jesus that comes love and joy and peace (nearly the opposite of self-pity).
Meditating on the good and noble (Phil. 4:8), including our gracious Lord Himself, not only takes our minds off of ourselves, but feeds us with the true Bread of Life at the same time.
Thanks for the food for thought
Blessings,
Terry
My wife Michele reminded me of a post she did about what helped her as a new believer that was foundational to setting her free from years of depression and self-pity.
Here’s the link:
http://grace-for-life.blogspot.com/search?q=three+things+that+revolutionized+my+christian+life
My wife Michele reminded me of a post she did about what helped her as a new believer that was foundational to setting her free from years of depression and self-pity.
Here’s the link:
http://grace-for-life.blogspot.com/2009/10/three-things-that-revolutionized-my.html
Thanks for your thought and comments Terry. God has used you mightely in my own walk.
Matt,
Wow. A tremendously powerful quote. My family has a history of depression, and I’ve dealt with it on and off my whole life. This quote is amazing, as it is so, so true. Honest to the point of scary.
Terry,
Thank you for sharing your heart. Your statements: “It’s out of that relationship communion with Jesus that comes love and joy and peace (nearly the opposite of self-pity)…. Meditating on the good and noble (Phil. 4:8), including our gracious Lord Himself, not only takes our minds off of ourselves, but feeds us with the true Bread of Life at the same time…” are right to the point.
The quote Matt chose to use and your thoughts, just confirm to me what I’ve suspected for awhile now.
Bless you both.