Self-pity is:
A feeling of excessive sorrow or unhappiness about one’s difficulties or misfortunes: a self-indulgent attitude is one where one dwells on one’s sorrows or problems, often exaggeratedly—a state of mind where one pities oneself, especially indulgently.
Common signs of self-pity
Do you take yourself too seriously so that you can not laugh at your predicaments or defeats?
Do you enjoy the drama?
Do you need emotional support from others and show that need by excessively sharing your troubles?
Do you dwell on past events and focus on what went wrong rather than living in the present or planning the future?
Do you often brood or pout as you think of what happened?
Do you focus on yourself and your problems and neglect seeing the needs of others?
Do you feel guilty about your past actions?
Do you feel helpless due to what happened?
Do you fear the future and that things will not improve?
Have you given up on changing your situation?
Do you see yourself as a victim?
Are you struggling to get up after what happened?
Interesting Quotes by Eugene Peterson
“Pity is one of the noblest emotions available to human beings; self-pity is possibly the most ignoble.“
“Self-pity is a direct rejection of God’s control. It is saying, ‘I don’t like what you’ve done in my life, and I absolutely will not be content!’”
“Self-pity is a powerful, negative attitude that gives rise to many, many excuses for sin.“
“The reason self-pity does not look like pride is that it appears to be so needy. But the need arises from a wounded ego.”
Steps to Getting Over Self Pity
Check yourself to see if you are constantly thinking negative thoughts.
Bring your thoughts into captivity to Christ.
Challenge the negative with the Word of God.
Do not accept what your inner critic is saying to you.
Focus on what you have and be grateful
Realize that no temptation you have differs from what others go through. Quit thinking your case is the worst ever.
Focus on solutions, not problems
Famous Quotes
“Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.” Helen Keller
“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.” D.H. Lawrence
“Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality.” John Gardner
“Never feel self-pity, the most destructive emotion there is. How awful to be caught up in the terrible squirrel cage of self.” Millicent Fenwick
“Self-pity is a death that has no resurrection, a sinkhole from which no rescuing hand can drag you because you have chosen to sink.” Elizabeth Elliot
“What poison is to food, self-pity is to life.” Oliver C. Wilson