Life can suck. Yep, I said it. It can throw you curve balls, fast balls, and even hit you if the face at times. I am in a place in my life currently that I truly never thought I would be. I know it’s all God’s plan. I do not doubt His plan. However, it’s not what I asked for nor is it what I necessarily wanted in this season.
I find myself creeping into this pity party mentality. I want to feel sorry for myself because I’m tired, over worked, and way under paid but every time I start to feel this way, I feel a nudge from God. That nudge says, “Stop it.”
Stop it
My two year has recently learned this phrase – “Stop it.” I hear it quite often from her and I also hear it from God more often times than not in this season. He wants me to stop it with the pity. Stop it with the feeling sorry for myself. Stop it with the worry. Stop it with all the nonsense that keeps me from focusing on Him and what He is doing.
Most often times when my two year old says “Stop it” it is accompanied with “That’s mine.”
I feel God telling me the same. “Stop it. This story I am writing is Mine.”
Joshua
God led me to the book of Joshua right in the moment this season shifted into what it is now. There is a place in Joshua that I so related to. Joshua was throwing a legitimate pity party.
God had just brought the Israelites over the Jordan river on dry ground. He led them to conquer Jericho. He now led them to Ai to take on the Amorites. There was a slight setback, a unexpected defeat and Joshua lost his mind.
“Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the Lord until evening. Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! Lord what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies? For when the Canaanites and all the other people living in the land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe our name of the face of the earth. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name? Joshua 7:6-9
Joshua was having a pity party.
The next verse made me literally laugh out loud as I read it because I can see God rolling his eyes at this tantrum, pity party Joshua is throwing. Sadly, God has to say the same thing to me at times.
But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Joshua 7:10 NLT
God was basically telling Joshua, “Get up! Stop acting like a big baby. I have this. I have a plan. I cannot use you in this state. Put your big boy britches on and let’s get to work.”
The Enemy Loves Your Pity Party
God was not done with Joshua. He still had a lot left in store for him and the Israelites. He needed Joshua because He called Joshua. However, as long as Joshua stayed in that pity party, God could not use him. That’s why God commanded he snap out of it.
It is the same with us.
The enemy wants to keep you down. He wants you in that pity party, feeling sorry for yourself state. He wants you to think you’ve been defeated and God can no longer use you. He wants you to think that even though God brought you to this, this setback is over and God has deserted you. He wants you to think all the things.
You want to know why?
Because as long as you stay in that state, you are of no use for the Kingdom of God.
Stop It with Your Pity Party
I have pity moments but I refuse to stay there. I hear God tell me to “stop it” and it confirms the path He has me on. This life He has given me is His and He wants what is His. He has a plan not only for me but for you too. If you stay in the pity of this party you are throwing for yourself you are not only hurting yourself but the Kingdom of God.
The body of Christ needs you in a state where you can be used.
A state of victory, not defeat.
A state of hope, not pity.
A state of love, not hate.
A state of forgiveness, not bitterness.
It’s crucial that we as believers actively walk in the faith that God has our life right where it is suppose to be.
Jesus is in the center of it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly. He will see you through.
So, Get up! And for the love- STOP WITH THE PITY!
Love you friends
