Do we ever do this? Feeling sorry for ourselves? Do we tell ourselves things like, "poor me, my past is too sinful, shameful or ugly"? Or, "poor me, my present is pretty terrible. I have no/little money and/or I have no life." Or, poor me, my future without a husband, or this or that, how can I live and who will provide for me?"
Sometimes we can easily get our focus off of our King and onto our problems and life circumstances. The enemy loves to do this! And how often do we cooperate, letting him?
When we come to the place of self-pity, or feelings of sorrow and discouragement come our way, it is then at that time that we need to remember to go to the Lord; let us run to the Lord. The Bible says we are to be "casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7
As we share with the Lord our sadness and discouragement, He takes it upon Himself and gives us joy and encouragement instead. We have to go to Him, and share our hearts with Him. Let Him in on what's happening in us. As we go to Him, He strengthens and encourages us. Our circumstances may not even change, but, as we go to Him, we are changed.
What is the antidote when we see our past as too sinful, shameful or ugly? When those thoughts come into our mind, we can confess them to the Lord. He will remind us that as far as the east is from the west, that's how far He has removed our transgressions from us. Oh, friend, that we would remember this in our time of need! He will remind us that though our sins were red as scarlet His blood has made us whiter than snow! These are truths of the gospel that we must hold onto and cling!
What is the answer when we see our present as hopeless or dull or not what we expected? We can ask the Lord to search our hearts to see if there is any wicked way in us and to cleanse us. We can also remember that His name is Jehovah Jirah; the Lord who Provides. It is His nature to provide for His children. We can thank Him for the provision that is coming. He may give us an idea or thought of how to make, earn or find some money.
What is the antidote to seeing our future as hopeless or less than what we desire? We need to remember God's truth that He knows the plans that He has for us; plans to give us a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11).
May the God of all hope comfort our hearts today.
