Solace or Self-Pity

Sidling up in silken slippers,Self-pity seduces with soft sympathy,Never letting slip thatSnug comfort of the duvetIt slides around my shouldersIs a straitjacket,Binding hands and feet from duty and devotion,Blinding eyes to promises and fellowship of Christ in pain,Stifling with earthbound acedia.How different Spirit’s solace—Smelling salts, strong tea, and sturdy shoesTo revive sunk souls,To fortify with comfort,To minister Love in my inmost self,To open blind eyes to my great sinAnd God’s great goodness,To come alongside, supportingMy weakness with His strengthWhen my soul faints on steep inclinesAnd feet stumble, bleeding, on sharp stones.Lord, make me wise to the wiles of self-pity,Wary of its entitlement and promised ease.When tempted to curl, dragonlike, Around my hoard of heartaches,May my soul fly to YouOn nightingale wings of lamentation,Emptying my tears and cries into Your treasure bottle,That You may fill me with love And shelter me under Your wing.May my soul delight in Your true comfort,For only there can I find strengthTo do Your will, to choose theTrue, right, lovely, and eternal,Even when the cost is persevering pain.You are worthy.You are better.You are good.Thanks for reading crumbs from His table fellowship! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crumbsfromhistable.substack.com