The opposite of confidence and worth is self-pity. Self-pity occurs when we feel we are warranted to receive but get passed by. This can occur in our natural or spiritual life. Self-pity helps define our moment or, may I say, cause us to miss our moment. We feel we are deserving or entitled to a blessing, and we lose faith when we see a blessing slip past our life.

One of the best examples of self-pity is the crippled man at the Pool of Bethesda (see John 5). Jesus knew his full condition and then, through Peter, asked the man if he wished to be healed. The man began to explain why he had not and could not be healed. Jesus seemed to quit listening to his self-pity and healed him anyway.

We can easily lose sight of God's promises when we are in difficult situations. This is often how we get off target in seeing God fulfill our prophetic destiny. Even though the Body of Christ goes through great times of testing, we are not to grow fearful and be discouraged. The enemy takes advantage during our testing periods by using a strategy to discourage us. Discouragement breeds hope deferred, which makes the heart sick. When we have a measure of hopelessness within us, we lose our expectation of God.

"Future" and "expectation" are synonymous. Our future is linked with an expectation of God moving.

This is a time for the Church to have its expectation level renewed and raised to another level. Isaiah 59 and 60 are wonderful prayer guides for us to follow to see this happen in our lives. Hope must transcend and move into faith. Faith produces overcoming. Overcoming leads to a demonstration of God's power and a manifestation of His promises.

The Cycle of Self Pity

Prophecy unlocks our future. But once we get wounded or experience loss, we can lose sight of our future.  The biggest demonic force that we have to contend with is self-pity. Self-pity draws attention to our loss and keeps us from seeing God's glory manifested in our life. Instead of our loss directing us to God's continued perfect plan for our life, our self rises up and causes us to say, 

"Pity me for what I have lost." Any time we experience loss, trauma, wounding or injustice, we can either choose to live with a belief system that God can heal and forgive or we can allow our mind-set to form rejection, self-defense and self-pity.

During times of loss and wounding, we have a tendency to accuse God for the trauma that we are experiencing. The power of this accusation leads to a type of fatherlessness.  Instead of experiencing the spirit of adoption, we feel abandoned and lost. From our self-defense, we actually form a rebellion to authority. We also become unteachable. We have a mind-set that says, 

"No one understands me or what I am going through."

We also begin to think that there is no solution to our problem. We wake up thinking,  "There is no way out." We fall into apathy because we have no hope of healing or restoration. Since we know that we should be  living a godly life, religious mechanisms become a solace to us. We may even gain a martyr complex and say, "O woe is me. This is my cross to bear. Look how heavy is my cross." This type of thinking causes us to not fight when we need to fight. Instead of fighting and advancing, we become a slave to comfort and the status quo.  We forget that we are called to fellowship with Christ's sufferings - a type of fellowship that leads to His resurrection power manifesting in us.

Losing sight of the love of God causes us to turn to self. God's love forces us to deal with these thoughts born of our self-pity. I have experienced enough freedom in my own life to know when I am not free. 

Faith works by love. 

Once we experience God's liberty and love, 

we will be able to resist that call from self to be pitied 

and be able to overthrow hope deferred.

Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce

Dr. Charles D. "Chuck" Pierce has been used by God to intercede and mobilize prayer throughout the world. He is an ordained minister and serves as President of Glory of Zion International Ministries in Denton, Texas. This ministry facilitates the vision of other apostolic ministries worldwide. Glory of Zion International also develops and covers the Eagles of God Apostolic Intercessory Teams that are sent on key prayer assignments worldwide.  He also serves as President of Global Spheres, Inc., an apostolic ministry for apostolic, prophetic and intercessory leaders.  Dr. Pierce has worked with Peter and Doris Wagner for years, and continues to serve as Watchman of Global Harvest Ministries in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is known for his accurate prophetic gifting which helps direct nations, cities, churches and individuals in understanding the times and seasons we live in. He presently serves on various national Boards of ministries throughout our nation. He is on the Executive Board of the International Coalition of Apostles, the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders, and the International Society of Deliverance Ministers. Chuck is also a member of the International Federation of Churches and Ministers. He coordinates prayer for many of the major spiritual events and gatherings around the world. Chuck, his wife Pam, six children, and numerous grandchildren live in Denton, Texas. He has a degree in Business from Texas A&M, Master's work in Cognitive Systems from the University of North Texas, and a D. Min. from the Wagner Leadership Institute. He has authored and co-authored many books: The Rewards of Simplicity (Chosen, 2010) with Pam Pierce Redeeming the Time (Charisma House, 2009) Interpreting the Times (Charisma House, 2008) God's Unfolding Battle Plan (Regal Books, 2007) One Thing: How to Keep Your Faith in a World of Chaos (Destiny Image, 2006) with Pam Pierce Reordering Your Day (Glory of Zion International Ministries, Inc., 2006) God's Now Time (Regal Books, 2006), with Rebecca Wagner Sytsema  Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation (Destiny Image, 2005) with Dutch Sheets When God Speaks (Regal Books, 2005), with Rebecca Wagner Sytsema  Prayers That Outwit the Enemy (Regal Books, 2004), with Rebecca Wagner Sytsema Protecting Your Home from Spiritual Darkness (Regal Books, 2004), with Rebecca Wagner Sytsema  Restoring Your Shield of Faith (Regal Books, 2003) with Robert Heidler  The Worship Warrior (Regal Books, 2002) with John Dickson  The Future War of the Church (Renew, 2001, re-released in 2007), with Rebecca Wagner Sytsema Possessing Your Inheritance (Renew Books, 1999; updated in 2009), with Rebecca Wagner Sytsema