A Prayer to Break Free from Self-Pity’s Grip - Your Daily Prayer - June 25

A Prayer to Break Free from Self-Pity’s Grip
By Kelly Balarie

Bible Reading:
“Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” – John 5:8 NIV

Listen or Read Below:

After fourteen hours of excruciating pain, something had to give. What? I had no idea, because there seemed to be no way out of the excruciating pain that I found myself in. 

They led me to my assigned room in the emergency room. There, only a curtain separated me from the woman next to me. I could hear her groan and complain to a family member about her situation. I hear a family member comfort her, and right about then I tried to tune out their discussion. There’s no good eavesdropping.  I had my own problems.

Sitting on the doctor's table, the medicine kicked in. It was about then that I heard a not-so-subtle invitation in my mind, “Kelly, doesn’t it feel good to be doted on by all the nurses? Doesn’t it feel nice to get all this attention? Look, you are getting the compassion needed for all those other problems that no one else ever acknowledged.”

I sensed it in that moment. It was almost like the devil was presenting me a little contract. Like he was saying, “Hey, Kelly, sign here on the dotted line if you want to stay in need, remain sick, keep feeling sorry for yourself, and be needy on others. Sign here if you want to make a routine to visit the hospital because you get the care in the physical that you aren’t getting naturally in the routine course of life.”

I identified the devil for who he was. In that moment, I rejected his agreement and said, “Satan, get behind me.”

I wouldn’t have any of it. I wasn’t going to sign up to feel bad for myself or to leech off man to feed my flesh. No way.

My portion, just like the paralytic man on the mat of self-pity, was not to stay down, but to rise up. The man on the mat, who had many excuses for why he wasn’t able, why he was down and out, why he was left behind, did not find Jesus coddling his excuses or his pain. 

Jesus’ answer?

“Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” (John 5:8 NIV)

Pain is often healed as we take a new step in our walk. As we get up and go. I know it is not always easy, especially if you’ve been through a lot, but it is possible. 

Let’s Pray:

Father, help us when we feel down and out. Help us where it seems like we have no way. Instead, show us your way. May we rise up according to Your ways. Help us not to look to people for what we can only get from You. May we be strong in the power of your might.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Discuss today’s devotional with others in the Your Daily Prayer thread on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Mindful Media

Kelly uplifts believers with boosts of faith; be encouraged weekly by getting Kelly’s blog posts by email. Kelly, a cheerleader of faith, is a blogger, national speaker, and author of Take Every Thought Captive, Rest Now, Battle Ready, and Fear Fighting. Kelly loves seeing the power of prayer in action. She loves seeing the expression on women’s faces when they realize – their God is faithful! Kelly’s work has been featured on The Today Show, CBN’s 700 Club, Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman. 

Related Resource: What to Do When God Seems Distant

What do we do when God no longer feels as close as He used to feel?

Many sincere believers experience seasons when prayer feels empty, Scripture feels quiet, and God seems strangely absent. For leaders especially, those seasons can feel confusing, discouraging, and even shameful.

In this episode of the Unhurried Living Podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with theologian and spiritual formation professor Kyle Strobel to discuss the new book When God Seems Distant, coauthored with John Coe. If this episode helps you recenter your work and life on God, be sure to follow Unhurried Living on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!