Unshackled Moments ~ August 11 ~ Escaping The Pit

Sometimes its harder than others to escape the lure of self centeredness. Fear, anxiety, pain and more can pull us so far into ourselves that we can't see anything beyond how life is effecting us and how it is less than ideal. One downside to this is that it's a dangerous place for us to stay. The more self centered we become the more easily it is to react according to our old self nature rather than reacting according to the new nature within us given to us by Christ. Also the more self focused we become the less joy we feel. Even when times are good and going right, if we become self focused we may feel more pleasure and happiness, but we will have less joy.

One way to get out of self, the kind of self that leaves us depressed, discourages and doubting is to be of service to someone else. It can lift our spirits to do something good and unselfish. It's a natural,God-intended, spiritual anti-depressant to care for and help others. It can help us to see that our efforts can help another. And when we see God able to use us to help others, it can help us to remember that He cares for us and can help us too.

We should always be ready to be of service to someone else. We should be quick to look to how we can bless another rather than wallowing in hopes that someone will come to bless us. But the best and quickest way to keep the spark of joy in our soul alive and get out of self, even better than being of service, is to turn our eyes upon Jesus. Focus on Him. Give Him our undivided attention. Praise Him and worship Him truly, honestly and from the depths of our pain and fear. When we look and see who He is and His love for us, we can't help but worship Him, and the things of this world and the attention we would naturally have for self and out our own situation begin to dim in the light of His glory and grace. Worship and praise put our heart in the right mode and tap us into the grace that gives us the love for others, the motivation and the ability to lay down our lives and selfish desires in order to be of service to others.

Praise Him in the storm and let the light of His love, glory and grace fill us with His joy and comfort and divert our attention from self with its pain, fears and confusion and put it where it needs to be, on the One who makes life worth living even in the midst of suffering and can use us to help others find Him, His love and His comfort. Let us spread the peace and comfort and joy that we are hoping to find for ourselves. When you administer it, you can't help but get a dose for yourself.

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