We all have them from time to time: pity party days. It seems like nothing is going right and everything is going wrong. Appliances stop working, cars break down, kids quarrel, coworkers are grumpy, the coffee canister is empty, a family member is ill - the list goes on and on.  It’s part of life.

I’ve found a way to counteract my pity party days. It’s simple and effective.

Serve.  Serve others.

If I’m having a tough day, I try to encourage a friend or family member. It’s amazing what happens when I serve someone else.

About 12 years ago, a friend called my husband & I asking if we could meet at her apartment to discuss her financial needs. She didn’t know that we were at a crisis point financially ourselves. My first instinct was to tell her no, absolutely no way. But we went to her apartment armed with a few bags of groceries knowing full well we were unable to help her financially.

After she shared her heart, we shared our situation and we prayed together for God to help all of us. Just by being together - crying, laughing and praying - we were all encouraged. Our finances weren’t changed. Our situation wasn’t changed. But our attitudes were.

Serving our friend with a few bags of groceries was a simple act of service but it was life-changing for us.

So, my dear friends, look for simple ways to serve and I think your pity parties can turn into praise parties.

You, my brothers and sisters were called to be free. Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  Galatians 5:13

“and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:27-28

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

Kathy Troyer
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