Jesus Calling: February 23

    Be on guard against the pit of self-pity. When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face. Don't even go near the edge of the pit. Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on the way down. It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it. That is why i tell you to be on guard.
    There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity. When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Also, the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit. Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me. Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling. 

Psalm 89:15-16

English Standard Version

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,

    who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,

who exult in your name all the day
    and in your righteousness are exalted.

Hebrews 12:1-2

New American Standard Bible

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I think the verses here are a better representation of the need. We are to submit and surrender to the Lord and let His Presence define our lives. Our focus is not to be on self, but on praising the Lord. The point is that I can at times get too focused on me that I forget the value that Christ has in me. I forget the new creature that I am and forget the hand of providence that he has in my life. 

My Prayer

Lord, set my ways, my walk on You. Help me to praise Your name throughout the day. You are there with me. You are there protecting me. Let me lay aside the worry and put aside the sin that really tangles me up. Instead turn me to run the race of following after Your commands and ways. You are my model Lord. Fix my eyes on You.

Lord, I admit, I am too focused on my problems right now. I feel almost a tug of war happening between problems, things I can't control, and surrendering to You. Lord, help me to put it in your hands. It is hard to watch your children make decisions that have immediately bad results. And its hard when they don't see any problem. It is like they are blind. But, I see it. i want them to demonstrate good habits -- now. I don't want to wait. 

But, you remind me it is a journey and not a sprint. And what i do want to do is give them to you. Help me to not give up and to realize that problems are a part of life. I guess I was getting comfortable and just enjoying good times, but Lord, I can still have peace in my life. 

Keep me on guard against the pit of self-pity. Keep me standing up, upright, firmly rooted in your foundation, believing that You can take care of this. Granted, I am impatient. I want it to be over now. Right now. But, though it isn't over, I can still trust You. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.