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Self-Pity City

God's Kindness Quest Series

For years, I dwelled in a crowded city 

Perhaps you lived there too, in the land called Self-Pity

 

The city motto, “Woe is me”

Setting the tone in the community

 

City Hall gives away t-shirts for free

Imprinted with the slogan, "Why does everyone pick on me"

 

Residents gather in the Self-Pity City square

Sad and tragic stories fill the air

 

I often explain how others are at fault, and I am innocent

Yet, I sometimes wonder, is this God’s punishment

 

Tallying the things I did bad

With me, I assume God must be mad

 

What if everyone else isn’t totally to blame

Am I not as innocent as I claim

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What if the foundation of self-pity is built on quicksand

Perhaps it's time to reach out for God's helping hand

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I inquired, God, is there a better place to live than Self-Pity City

Then something happened, which startled both me and my kitty

 

A moving truck pulled up with God at the wheel

Jump in my child, he declared with great zeal

 

Asked God, where are you taking me

Smiling, he said, I prepared a new home for you to see

 

I designed you to live close to me, a protected place

You can’t earn that dwelling; it’s by my grace

 

Tires of the moving truck squealed as we sped away

Never revisited Self-Pity City after that day

 

The city mascot of my new dwelling place, a Dove

The city motto, "LOVE ... LOVE ... LOVE"

Interactive Questions

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV), "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

  • What emotions, memories, thoughts, convictions, or inspirations bubbled up while reading the poem?

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  • Father God, what do you want me to know about my answers to the previous question? 

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  • Have you dwelled in Self-Pity City? If so, when and why?

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  • How long did you live there? Are you still there?

  

  • Who are your pity party friends? 

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  • What do you and your self-pity friends spend most of your time talking about?

 

  • Do you enjoy living in Self-Pity City? If so, what are your perceived benefits of living there?

 

  • What is the detriment of living in Self-Pity City? 

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  • Are you open to moving from Self-Pity City?​

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  • If not, why not? 

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  • Lord, what do you want me to know about my resistance to moving? 

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  • If yes, proceed to the questions below:

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  • Lord, what do I need to leave behind, because it will no longer serve a purpose in my new dwelling place? 

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  • Lord, how do I transition from the old into the new?

 

  • Lord, how do I leave Self-Pity City, never to return? 

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  • Father God, is there anything else you want to share with me at this moment?

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Prayer

James 5:16 (NLT),  "... The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.​"

Lord, I’ve been wallowing in the quicksand of self-pity. Stuck in my conversations, rehearsing the pain. Bogged down in sorrow, blaming others for my current positioning. Ensnared in hopelessness, blinded to your path. I can't focus on the future, while immersed in the mire of the past. 

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Lord, forgive me for wallowing in self-pity, which negatively influenced others to embrace it. I forgive those who helped me stay stuck. Where I am not as innocent as I claim, I take responsibility for my part and ask you to forgive me. I give you habit patterns and thinking which align with self-pity. Forgive me for fixating on the trials of life, instead of looking to you for help.

  

Today, I grab your lifeline, asking for strength to leave the quicksand of self-pity. Cleanse my mind, heart, and body from all ill effects. Cancel the negative sowing and reaping. I ask for discernment when self-pity knocks at my door. Show me how to live free of self-pity. 

 

Light a fire in the depths of my soul for your truth and the plans you have for me. Help me renew my mind through Scripture, Holy Spirit, prayer, and every godly tool available. I turn away from self-pity and walk toward you. You are my focus. You are truth. You are life. You are the way. I choose your dwelling place of "Love ... Love ... Love." Amen.

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  • Lord, what did this prayer activate in accordance with James 5:16?

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  • Tweak the existing prayer as desired or craft a new personalized one.

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT), "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true ..."

Psalm 33:22 (NLT)

“Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.”

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Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)

"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord."

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  • List meaningful Bible verses which come to mind regarding this poem, the interactive questions, and prayer.

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