Waste of Energy - a message about feeling sorry for yourself

One of the things I wish we were not born with would be the ability to be selfish. I consider myself about as bad in this area as the average person. Too often I am thinking of myself in a situation - and the situations vary. Regardless of the variances, it still funnels down to I'm thinking of me. There are likely times when you would have to admit you tend to be like this, also to various degrees.

For some it could be "I want" and they may not receive. For others, it may be a sense of idealism in expecting people to react a certain way. No matter how you spin it the end result comes down to variances of selfishness.

An outcome of selfishness can be "feeling sorry for yourself." When this happens it can entrap us into a sentence we should not have to serve. This brings us to this week's quote...

Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have. ~ Dale Carnegie

During the times I have served the sentence of "feeling sorry for myself," looking back I would easily say that I was wasting my time. Like a millstone tied to someone and dropped into the ocean, to feel sorry for yourself simply drowns your life from being able to accomplish much.

Think back to the moments that you have wasted in feeling sorry for yourself. Someone once said that time is something you cannot get back. That statement is very true. Once we've spent time we cannot make it up, it is spent. Let us spend our time more wisely and not waste it on times like feeling sorry for yourself.

Now it's your turn...what have you learned from wasting time and energy in feeling sorry for yourself?

"Me 'Firt'!" - aka "Me First!"

I would like to go so far as to say “everyone does it” but there are probably some exceptions to the rule. What everyone likely does at sometime in their young life is to strive for independence and meaning. Ava, our two-year old is well into that stage of life. Whenever I am wanting her and Oliver to do something, she will often say “Me firt!” She wants to do the task that I am allowing or assigning them to do first. Even when there are times which Oliver may want to look at something, for example, she pipes in with “Me firt, Oliver!” She wants meaning in her life and would like to have independence. She also exercises that desire by not wanting to have her hand held when we are in parking lots.

Why is it that she wants to be first? What is it that she does not want to be after Oliver? I am not talking about a scientific or clinical reason, but more of an intellectual reason. She has a great desire to let her abilities be known and already learning that first is “good.” We may race up the stairs and see who “wins.” They may be in a “race” to be buckled first to get the “buckle badge” (something invisible that simply affirms I’m proud of their obedience). They want to out do one another and are driven to do that at this stage in their life.

As we go about life as a Christian, what is our drive? Are we driven to try to be “first?” When we are challenged by a thought or song, do we seek to be the first to go out and do something? Are we driven to be “firt?” Or are we simply letting it go in one ear and out the other? Are we not caring if we’re first or last in the challenge?

As you read this, may you be inspired to go out and see what you can do for Him. We are not in a competition with one another, but sometimes if we felt like “I’m going to get to someone you know first” then you may be inspired and motivated rather than just letting it pass. So, who will it be this week? When hearing a challenge, who will be the one to say, “Me firt!”?

Biggest Loser: Losing "ME"

We live in a world full of "ME"s.  I was looking at someone's Facebook page yesterday and they had a cartoon on their "links" page that was supposed to say "America" at the top, but all the letters were on the bottom of the cartoon except for M & E.  I thought that it hit the nail about yesterday's message regarding the need to lose the "ME" weight.

As this series is about "losing 'weight' for a better life", to lose the "ME" weight is vital to having a healthier life.  "ME" tends to get in our way or weigh us down in several areas.  Some of these areas will be expanded on in later sermons.  However, if "ME" is in your way, you are probably being prevented from doing some really amazing things!

As we used Matthew 19:16-24, about the Rich Young Ruler, as a springboard, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Examine where the "ME"s are the biggest ~ You are going to have areas in your life that "ME" will be more prominent.  What may be in the way for you, may not be for someone else.  So, don't compare your life to someone else.  See where the "ME"s are in your life that you must work on getting rid of them to have a better life.
2. Refrain from "I can't" ~ Obviously the negative points back to the subject.  One author once said that he never wrote a book, he just wrote chapters.  Looking at something that is "mountain" in comparison, can be overwhelming and cause us to quit.  However, achieving small goals will help us attain the larger goals.
3. Take a step ~ Staying put gets us nowhere.  Taking a step allows us to move forward.  Is someone asking to do something that may seem uncomfortable?  Take a step and go forward - you may find it fulfilling.  Is there something that you could use your talents in, but aren't sure how?  Take a step and see how God uses the opportunity.  Have you been wanting to meet that neighbor that you continually drive by?  Take a step and go out the door to shake hands and simply say "Welcome to the neighborhood!"
4. Look Up/Forward ~ Studies say that a person who consistently looks downward when they walk shows a lack of self-esteem.  If you are looking up and forward, you may see the potentials that are around you and you may develop a greater self-esteem in the process.

Your "ME" may not be allowing you to see what you can do with life or it may be weighing on you, preventing you from making the progress you could be making.  It won't be an easy process, but what "weight" loss ever is?

Life has too much baggage...let's get rid of the "ME" so we can be more healthy!




Social Bookmarking Links