¹⁹ God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer’s;
    he makes me tread on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:19a

Dear God, this book starts with Habakkuk complaining to you about how you do things and the struggles he and Israel are having. Why did you allow them to stray so far from you? Why are you allowing infidels to be your hand of punishment? In other words, you’re doing your job wrong and I don’t like it.

There are all kinds of times when I wish things were being done differently. I’m watching the happenings in my own nation now, and I get discouraged. Politically. Socially. Economically. Spiritually. And then I realize that self-pity is a huge trap. I’m reminded how I get myself into the most trouble when I’m feeling sorry for myself.

I read a Facebook post this morning from one of my wife’s longtime friends from high school. She was promoting a new dynamic nonprofit in Seattle that isn’t feeling sorry for itself, but building itself to reach the needs they see. Here’s her post:

I can’t attest to “Dan’s” faith. I’ve never met him. But I’m impressed by Dan’s tenacity and vision. I’m impressed by his love and compassion. I’m impressed that he saw a problem and didn’t just complain about why someone isn’t doing more. I have another friend right now who is frustrating me because she is feeling sorry for herself and lashing out at others instead of experiencing some introspection on how she might have contributed to the problem she’s now facing and finding a productive way forward.

Father, I pray your blessings on Dan’s work. I don’t know where anyone is in their faith, but I pray that you will use all of that work to introduce everyone involved to you. Make the pain that everyone is experiencing count. I pray for my other friends who is going through a lot of self-pity and anger. Guide her. Show her your path to forgiveness, reconciliation, and love. Help her to teach that to her children as well.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen