Aug 18, 2019
Self-pity or sulking is promoted by society as an acceptable
way of dealing with personal failure, disappointment with others,
or
pain. In a culture where self-pity is a virtue, much of social
media is
an attempt to gain sympathy with no desire for a solution.
Self-pity
can be a sinful way to passive-aggressively manipulate others
to
focus on us. Self-pity is a self-focus where our greatest worship
is
ourselves. Self-pity handicaps spiritual growth and leads to
coping
mechanisms and escapism like drugs, alcohol, eating disorders
(anorexia, bulimia, gluttony), cutting, sexual deviancy,
excessive
online gaming, etc. Self-pity comes from self-centeredness, which
is
the fruit of a sinful, prideful heart (1 Kings 21:1-16). Self-pity
leads
to depression, then to hopelessness, then to despair. The end-game
of
self-pity is more emptiness. The biblical view is that life is
difficult
but worth living by finding God’s purpose for our life (John
16:33).
You can’t choose your feelings, but you can choose your faith!