Self-pity is the number one destroyer of courage. The account in Numbers chapters 13 and 14 is a classic example of the negative effect of self-pity. How? The report of the ten spies aroused self-pity in the hearts of the people and caused them to question God. When we encounter difficulties we are often tempted to do exactly the same thing: "Why am I in this situation? God does not love me. There is no one to help me get out of this trouble. Following God and doing the right thing is really not worth it.

Each time you embrace self-pity, you get discouraged and feel you cannot handle your situation; you feel dwarfed before your circumstances. If you want to experience victory, then resist self-pity because self-pity is a curse. Stop asking why? Every "why" carries with it a seed of discouragement. Rather ask "how". The devil gives answers to "why" but has no answer for "how". Any time you ask "how", it provokes you to search the Word and causes you to fall on your face to seek answers from God.

Also beware of sympathizers. They may not even be aware of it, but they can be agents of the enemy to attempt to steal your destiny. When people give you a constant dose of sympathy, self-pity soon follows and can cause you deep depression. Remember how Job's friends came to him with their sympathy when he was faced with an adverse circumstance. They sat around him for seven days, silently staring at him, with sadness written all over their faces. They wore sackclothes and had ashes upon their heads. After those spirit-dampening days, they dazed Job with questions which almost set him against God.

The earlier you reject self-pity and sympathy, the better it will be for you. Stand firm like Joshua and Caleb and proclaim.... "I am able to take the land."