The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Poor (10/25/04)
TITLE: Poor Me
By Karri Compton
10/28/04
 LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
 SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
 SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND
If you know me, you know that I often throw pity parties for myself. Loads of them. No one else is invited, and they are really quite boring. I keep throwing them anyway. Poor me, I think to myself. I’m so tired. I’m so depressed. I’m so worried. My kids are driving me crazy. There’s no money for this. Did I gain that much weight? If only…

Then, of course, I must get myself out of the pit I have dug. An obvious choice is to think about all those less fortunate than me. The starving children in Africa. My friend’s daughter with the brain tumor. The orphans and widows. This makes me feel slightly better, but have I really remedied my problem?

As I think further, I have to acknowledge the only true source for my cure. It is the first place I should have gone. God’s Word has the only treatment for my troubled soul. My real problem is that I have set aside the grace of God (Galatians 2:21). I have forgotten His benefits (Psalm 103:2). My focus has not been on the eternal, but the temporal (Colossians 3:1).

When I realize the solution to my dilemma is remembering God’s promises to me, I fall on my knees in repentance. As I claim the forgiveness and cleansing that is mine through confession, the reality of my spiritual blessings in Christ grows clear. God works all things together for my good because I love Him. I am loved with an everlasting love, and no one can snatch me out of my Savior’s hand. The Lord restores my soul, renews my strength, comforts my heart, protects my mind, guides my steps, and prepares a place for me in heaven. Now THESE are things that bring true joy!

Pity parties have been cancelled until further notice. Thank God I can do all things through Christ. This includes silencing the voice which begs to cry out, “Poor me”.