TODAY’S VERSE:
Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
We just finished our study on the book of Jonah in prep school. As we read the last chapter, we saw that Jonah was, at the time of this story, full of self-pity, behaving as if he was the only person to have ever suffered.
Jonah 4:5-9 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live. ”But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
Is it safe to say that all people have suffered at some point in their lives?
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
What about Jesus Christ, the God-man, who never sinned- did He ever suffer?
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Since all people have suffered, including the Holy One, Jesus Christ, is it ever OK to feel sorry for ourselves, thinking we are worse off than others? We certainly are not the only ones to ever face a challenging day, week, month, or, even, year, correct? Well, if you are feeling SELF-pity, you are focused on YOUrself and whatever situation YOU are upset about. What does the Bible tell us to be focused on?
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
This verse tells us to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise. There is only ONE person whom all of these words describe- that’s Jesus Christ! So, we are to be focused on Him and His Word, the Bible.
Next time you start to focus on self and feel self-pity… STOP– read your Bible, pray, and make a list of all the things you are grateful for, beginning with God’s grace and mercy in saving you from your sin. You will then be reminded that every day is to be centered around our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that we are to be filled with gratitude for all He has done for us- regardless of what kind of day we are having.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.