Overcoming Self Pity
” For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13).
There’s an old saying that says, “If you want help in overcoming your problems, help someone else with theirs.” T. Huffman Harris (in his book titled, “Open the Door Wide to Happy Living”) gave a good example of this when he told the story of a young man who became tired of life, and decided to leap from a bridge into a turbulent river. A total stranger saw the young man being swept downstream and plunged into the water in an effort to save him. The young man (who was a good swimmer) noticed the rescuer floundering desperately in the strong current, and knew that without his help he would drown. Something stirred within the heart of the young man, and with all his strength he swam over to the rescuer and rescued him. Saving the stranger, who had attempted to save him, brought new hope and meaning to the young man’s life.
Likewise, friend, should you ever find yourself in the depths of despair, do not drown yourself with an attitude of self pity, but rather, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).