Self Pity

Good afternoon everybody,
Jesus, our Master, the spotless, the strongest spirit that ever existed, said something that was extremely profound. Matthew 16…
21From that time began Jesus to shew to his disciples that it is necessary for him to go away to Jerusalem, and to suffer many things from the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and to be put to death, and the third day to rise.
22And having taken him aside, Peter began to rebuke him, saying, `Be kind to thyself, sir; this shall not be to thee;' (*greek literal, ‘pity yourself’)
23and he having turned, said to Peter, `Get thee behind me, adversary! thou art a stumbling-block to me, for thou dost not mind the things of God, but the things of men.'
Other translations of 23 say ‘you are a danger to me’. ‘tempting me to sin’. Etc.
What was the danger? What was the temptation? ‘pity yourself’, be kind to thyself. If Jesus could not allow this type of thinking even for a moment, can we? He whirled around and cut Peter off, and said, probably pretty loudly, get behind me Satan! The strongest spirit in history could not tolerate another second of this.
Jesus was already casting down his own thoughts and feelings. He was trying to prepare his disciples so they would know the end and not pity themselves. Peter was allowing the devil speak through him. Jesus was the only person who actually did not deserve any foul treatment, but it He was going to get the worst on all levels, all at the same time.
We are all tempted to feel sorry for ourselves, but according to Jesus, it is sin. A serious sin. One he had to cut off quickly and finally. And if He had to, so do we. How? Say it, get behind me satan, God has been good to me! Then recount about six or eight things He has done for you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Self pity does no good, it is evil. When you play with self pity you are listening to unbelief, selfishness and unthankfulness. You know I am talking to me, too.
So praise the Lord. For He is good, His love endures forever! Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits. He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases, He redeems our lives from destruction, crowns us with lovingkindness, and tender mercies. He fills our life with good things so our youth is renewed like the eagles. (Psalm 103) He died so we could live forever, he was bruised for our healing,, He took our chastisement so we could have His peace, and we do! Thanks be to God!! I love you all.
Healed by His stripes,
Nancy Bass