‘Let all that I am praise the Lord ; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord ; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. Praise the Lord , you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord , you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! Praise the Lord , everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord .’ Psalms 103:1-22 (NLT)
Self-pity is a fertile soil for all kinds of sin to thrive. Self-pity is more than being sad. It is hard to describe what it is, but it always results in something, which can give us a clue. How do you know you are struggling with self-pity? Do you find yourself finding comfort in things outside of Christ? Are you considering sin as a way to find joy? Are you struggling with the goodness and love of God in your life? These form a fertile soil that makes sin, this world, and the things of this world feel more appealing and satisfying in the moment.
Self-pity not only questions the character and goodness of God in your life, but also elevates your self-importance and interests above everything else.
The gospel gives us an antidote for self-pity. This Psalm reminds us of who we are in Christ. We have been forgiven, healed, redeemed, loved, satisfied with good, and renewed. All this because God loves and delights in you because of what Christ has done. He does not deal with you according to what you deserve, but He lavishes His grace. His love is great and our sins are far removed. We are not objects of wrath but objects of compassion.
When you forget the gospel and wallow in self-pity, would you remind yourself of the gospel? Would you run to community where others can remind you of the gospel? Like the Psalmist prays, would you pray for yourself that you will not forget the benefits of the gospel of Jesus in your life?
The Psalmist describes how we are like grass and a flower that fades and is gone, but God’s love is steadfast and is from everlasting to everlasting. You are not forgotten. You will never be cast out. Though Jesus was abandoned on the cross, He did not abandon you. He was forgotten because of our sin so that we can be remembered and loved. Jesus did this for you. Allow the gospel to lead you out of self-pity to the sweet embrace of our Savior.
from Psalms: Dealing with Difficult Emotions