Pity-Parties

By Ava Pennington—

The party was in full swing. I had arrived early and was determined to be the last to leave. That wouldn’t have been difficult, since I was the only person there.

I can party with the best of them. And I’m especially adept at hosting and attending my own pity parties. It’s easy to feel sorry for myself, especially when I’ve been wronged or falsely accused. My natural inclination is to be defensive or sulk at the injustice of my circumstances, all the while wallowing in self-pity. Either way, the party’s on.

Then I think of Joseph. If anyone had a right to a pity-party, it was Joseph. First, he was sold to be a slave by his own brothers. Then he was falsely accused of sexual misconduct by his new master and thrown into a foreign prison. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, he worked as a trustworthy representative of the prison keeper.

Even more surprising, Joseph looked past the injustice of his own situation to help someone else. He noticed the dejection of his fellow prisoners and inquired about their situation. Joseph didn’t realize it at the time, but in assisting his fellow prisoners he was preparing the way for the fulfillment of God’s plan for his own release.

Joseph is a powerful example to me—a reminder to look beyond my own hurts in order to be used by God to minister to others. When I do that, God works miraculously in their lives…and in mine.

Heavenly Father, even when my circumstances seem unjust, help me look beyond my own hurt to serve others.

“[Joseph] saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him…‘Why do you look so sad today?’” (Genesis 40:6-7 NIV)

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Ava Pennington is a writer, Bible teacher, and speaker. Her newest book,Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional, is endorsed by Precepts founder Kay Arthur. Additionally, Ava is co-author of Faith Basics for Kids. The first two books in the series are Do You Love Me More? andWill I See You Today? She has also written numerous articles for magazines such as Today’s Christian Woman, Power for Living, and Called.

In addition to her writing, Ava also teaches a weekly, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class of 175+ women. She is a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging audiences with the truth of God’s word in relevant, enjoyable presentations. Ava and Russ have been married for 35 years and live in southeast Florida.

For more information, visit her at www.AvaWrites.com