Letting Go of Self-Pity to Step Into Freedom
Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 24 August 2025
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?””
Self-pity is a trap that can keep us bound for years. I know what it feels like to live with that constant “Why me, God?” running through your mind. When life has been unfair or painful, it’s easy to rehearse the hurt and expect others to make it right. But the truth is, people can never fully repay us for what we’ve lost – only God can.
In John 5, Jesus meets a man who had been unwell for thirty-eight years. Instead of immediately healing him, Jesus asks a question: “Do you want to get well?” It’s a strange question on the surface, but it gets to the heart of the matter. Sometimes, without realising it, we hold onto our pain because it has become part of our identity.
Letting go of self-pity means giving up the right to keep blaming others. It means refusing to let bitterness dictate our future. God promises beauty for ashes, but we have to hand Him the ashes first.
I’ve learned that we can be pitiful or powerful, but we cannot be both at the same time. Power comes when we choose to believe that God can write a new chapter for our lives, no matter how long we’ve been stuck in the old one.
If self-pity has been holding you back, make today your turning point. Tell Jesus, “Yes, I want to be made well.” Then take His hand and step into the freedom He offers.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, I choose to let go of self-pity, blame, and bitterness. I give You the ashes of my past and trust You to bring beauty in their place. Help me to walk forward in Your freedom and not look back. Amen.