If we look in the Bible there is an account of someone having a pity party. But, what can we learn from his mistakes. The Bible tells us about Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1-18.
Elijah’s Five mistakes
Mistake #1 He tells God, “I’ve had enough Lord!
How many times have you done that, I know say it a lot. The problem with having a pity party is we don’t usually party alone, we usually invite others.
Mistake #2 Elijah was living in the past.
Many pity parties involve past hurts. We think we’ve gotten rid of the past, but it rears it’s ugly head when we have a pity party. Even if we think we’ve put the past behind us.
In two places, verse 10,13 we hear Elijah say but “I’ve been very zealous for the Lord.” We think we’ve done good things, so why is this still happening.
Sometimes we realize that things weren’t that good like we have made up in our minds. We think we have glory in past accomplishments so we shouldn’t have to fight for the future. Sometimes i think I’ve fought long and hard to survive the past, why aren’t things better.
Mistake #3 Elijah began to compare himself to others.
Elijah says, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of Hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown does your alters, and killed your prophets with the sword. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” Jezebel angrily swore to have Elijah killed, forcing him to flee for his life.
Mistake #4 He began blaming others for his troubles.
How many times do we blame our troubles on someone else? We need to take responsibility for ourselves
With Elijah, jezebel was chasing him.
The Israelites had abandoned God (so he thought).
Mistake #5 He exaggerated the problems.
You know the difference between a Big problem and a little problem don’t you? A Big Problem is anything I’m going through and a little problem is anything you are going through,
Elijah said, in verse 10 and 14, “I am the only one left.”
We need to start turning our pity to praise.
Here are some ideas I have put forth in my life, when I start to have a pity party.
1. Check your pulse. There are people who didn’t wake up this morning.
2. Look at the conditions in the world, so many have it way worse than you do.
3. Be careful what you say.
4. Remember life and death are in the power of the tongue.
Ephesians 4:29 in the New Living Translation, says “ do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for others up according to their needs (us too), that it may benefit those who listen.” We née to start doing what God has shown us to do. Our lives and the world is a huge mess.
5. He careful what you think upon. Our thought’s determine our lives.
Philippians 4:8, finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”
I walked into the room the other day, and saw a woman. My father thought was oh my he’s ugly. She didn’t smile. She had squinty, puffy eyes. She wasn’t very attractive. Then I realized it was a mirror. She was me.
How often to we think awful things about ourselves in that manner? She yourself as God see’s you. Fearfully and Wonderfully made.
I’m not saying that really difficult times won’t come. What I’m saying is rather than throwing a pity party we should learn to praise God.
Our greatest problem we could ever have is facing eternity without Jesus.
From Pity to Praise 