My sisters and I have “Pity Parties.” If you don’t know what they are, let me explain. I can call any of my sisters and just say, “I need a pity party,” and they reply, “Oh, I’m so sorry! Tell me all about it.” They immediately sympathize and they don’t even need to know why I am feeling sorry for myself. I may have a nasty cold, or gophers just dug up my freshly planted flowers, or I’ve just had a very difficult day. It doesn’t matter — they are there for me. They know I’ll bounce back after a little compassion from my sisters.

No, I don’t think self-pity is a good thing. God allows difficult days, but along with those struggles, He offers His strength through His Word. We need only to stop looking inward and look to Him.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2–4).

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:3–5).

Wait! Do I count it all joy when I’m in the midst of trials? Do I rejoice in my sufferings? No … I wouldn’t say I rejoice in my sufferings — but that is exactly what the Lord asks us to do. In Deuteronomy 31:6, it states, Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” The devil loves my “Pity Parties” because it means I’m focused on my problems, not on the One from whom my help comes. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1–2).

Yes! I will rejoice in the promises of God and the salvation of my soul. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

I will also rejoice and thank God for my sisters. I appreciate that God provides family and friends to offer comfort and encouragement (and maybe even a stern rebuke) when I need it. I appreciate that I can, in turn, be there for them in their moments of sadness. I pray that, in the midst of any self-pity, the Holy Spirit will nudge my consciousness to realize that He has given me the power to focus on my Savior and all that He has given and continues to give.

These “Pity Parties” take place most often over the phone as we all live in different parts of the country. Our phone calls may begin with commiserations but, most often, turn from sharing an understanding of current circumstances to a soothing of our emotions and an assurance of better days to come. Blessed by faith and family, we turn our “Pity Parties” into “Praise Possibilities.”

Christ be praised!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie