By: Rex Stump
There are times when we face discouragement and disappointment. During those difficult times it’s easy to throw yourself a pity party.
You feel sorry for yourself, and your circumstances, and it would be nice if everyone else joined in and felt sorry for you too.
Or maybe you don’t want anyone to know, so you isolate yourself from everyone and figuratively crawl into a hole.
Whether you show the world your miserable moments or keep them to yourself, a feeling of defeat overwhelms you and you may even wonder if God cares. He does.
Although you may feel the world is against you – God is not! God is not on the opposing sidelines, nor is He cheering against you.
When David was supposed to the next King of Israel, instead he was being chased by King Saul. He was chased into the wilderness and was then captured by the Philistines, God’s enemy.
Did David throw himself a pity party? Actually, he wrote a song expressing his low feelings, but his faith in God turned the pity party into a praise party. (Psalm 56)
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
David trusted God. David knew despite his circumstances, that God loved him, and that God was on his side!
I love how the apostle Paul said something similar in Romans 8:31. Having faith in God, through Jesus Christ, as His child, empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul says, “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
God is on our side! God is for us! It is we who walk away, turn away, rebel in sin against our Holy God. But God…He loves us and chooses to be for us. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “…He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
Instead of whining about your circumstances or tossing yourself a pity party, try giving God a praise party. Begin each day with Good News!
“Thank you God for loving me (John 3:16). I know my sin hurts you, I’m sorry. (Romans 6:23). Thank you for sending Jesus Christ, your Son, to save me from my sins. (Romans 5:8). My faith is in you! I trust you! (Romans 10:9-10).”
Every day make this your morning prayer. Use your own words if you need…but every day must begin with Good News! Let it be the start of a praise party!
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Rex Stump is the Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a Pastor at True North Church in Wauseon, Ohio.
