The swamp of self-pity (Part 1)

Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah 4: 3-4

Self-pity is not our friend, but a dangerous sin. It appears as subtle sin since we don't recognise it easily since it allows us to justify our own negative feelings, especially when we suffer injustices and mistreatment. 

Self-pity is highly addictive because it allows us to play the "poor me" card. I feel so sorry for myself. It is self-pity that says, “I am right because I have been wronged.” In other words, self pity is disguised by the devil as a friend to give us false comfort that we should dwell on our misfortune. We should entertain victimized mindsets so we can escape responsibility and do not need to look to God for help. You have a friend (The Devil) by your side, so just whine and sulk. Pity parties are the devil's specialty, and he brings together other demons to "celebrate" our misery.

Self-pity traps us like a swamp. As we sink into the swamp, many negative feelings can overwhelm us, including anger, bitterness, depression, hopelessness, unbelief, unworthiness, and more.  Self-pity distorts our views of God when life does not get in our way. Self-pity is a feeder sin that fuels other sins.

Jonah's story in today's key verse shows a self-pitying sulker to the point of death. It greatly displeased Jonah that God treated Nineveh so graciously. The key verse today illustrates how human beings can justify their anger and resist God's will that nothing will satisfy him except death. Jonah's answer may seem absurd, but it shows that self-pity can breed bitter discontent that makes people furious and irrational.  

Jonah's story ended with God providing and then removing the small plant because Jonah has more pity for the small plant than countless souls in Nineveh, and God's infinite pity for His children silences Jonah's self-pity. Jonah's story teaches that self-pity diminishes God's pity, it is stubborn, and leads to extreme thoughts and behaviors.  

In Part 2, we will discuss how to overcome self-pity and get out of the swamp of self-pity. 

Blessing prayer: We pray for deliverance from self-pity and temptation, and that you will bring us out of the swamp. In Jesus' name, Amen