Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Here are some thoughts on grief and self-pity:

There is a significant difference between grief and self-pity, yet it is easy to indulge in self-pity because of grief. What is the difference?

• Grief is the sadness that comes from losing someone we love. Self-pity comes when we believe God has been unfair in taking the one we love.
• Grief is the sadness that comes from a loss or disappointment in life. Self-pity comes when we believe God has been unfair in permitting our disappointment to happen.
• Grief is the sadness that comes from losing our health. Self-pity comes when we believe God has been unfair in allowing us to lose our health.

Self-pity often manifests itself in a “Why me?” attitude.

To avoid this mindset, we must remember that all things work together for good—it just may not be for our good, but for God’s good. Too often, we attempt to manipulate this verse to mean that everything works in our favor. That viewpoint, while comforting for self-preservation, is ultimately self-centered. It is not all about us.

In our brokenness, we must yield our will to the Father’s and be a willing vessel to glorify Him.

If you are struggling with self-pity, it is because you lack a sense of purpose. Without purpose, you will retreat deeper and deeper into yourself. Eventually, self-pity will overtake you, leading to bitterness and anger.

Give some thought to your purpose. Certainly, we are called to honor God with our lives.

How can you use your loss for good and for His glory?