In the context I’m saying this, it really means a pity party – legitimate or not. To be honest, we all engage in this activity … occasionally. Occasionally needs to be the operative word and the duration needs to be minimal. The, ‘Why’ do we go through these time are as varied as the cause(s). Not completely the point – if we do experience them then we should control them.
Silly perhaps, but when I was at university I always gave myself a good 3 hour pity party when that’s what I was feeling. 3 hours was long enough to merge into that emotion but not long enough to be trapped in it. Typically I found myself laughing at me and this always push me forward and out of the pity party. I don’t believe that pity parties are inherently ‘bad’ but they can be when you just give in to them.
So what do pity parties do for us? Legitimize pouting? My argument would be that in order to ‘control’ them, we need to know why we engage in them and what we receive from them. It would also be helpful to understand (analyze) what causes them. However, the most important is moving beyond them.
Is fear your why? Or is it frustration? There is always a cause for the pity party. Your ‘why’ may be simply a response to what you are experiencing and/or you haven’t identified the cause. Is it a time to give in to the emotion before finding the cause? While logic and analysis may not be the next steps you want to take, let them be present and active as soon as possible so you don’t compound your situation.
Isaiah 41:13
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you..”
James 1:19-21
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
What is received through a pity party is typically very individualized. It never excuses the pity party but it may explain your why to you. However, never let the supposed positive aspects provide the rationale. If you must engage then control you.
Underscoring the moving on is:
Psalm 46:1-3
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. …”
Proverbs 18:10
“”The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”
Nehemiah 8:10
‘””Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Obviously there are other verses that can help us but these three really are a strong defense and foundation to moving beyond.
