SELF-PITY IS ALSO A STRONGHOLD

There is a world people can build inside themselves. A world called self-pity.

Self-pity says: "Nobody understands me." "Nobody sees what I have suffered." "Nobody appreciates me." "Look at everything that has happened to me."

Now, there are real difficulties in life. People go through painful experiences. People have been hurt, but there is a difference between acknowledging pain and building your identity around pain.

Self-pity keeps bringing you back to yourself.

Everything becomes about your disappointment. Everything becomes about what people did to you. Everything becomes about what you did not receive. And slowly, you become trapped in a world where you are always the victim.

Look at Elijah. After Jezebel threatened him, he ran away and sat under a tree. When God asked him what he was doing there, Elijah answered by focusing on himself.

He said he had been very jealous for The Lord,.... but he was the only one left (1 Kings 19:10)

But Elijah was not seeing the situation correctly. God still had people, and He was still working.

The problem was not that Elijah had experienced difficulty. The problem was that his pain had become his entire perspective.

Self-pity can make you forget God's bigger picture. It can make you abandon your assignment.

You must burn down that world — not because your pain is fake, but because your pain cannot become your master.

You are not only what happened to you. You are not only what people did to you. You are a child of God with a purpose.

Do not allow self-pity to become a place you live. God has more for you than constantly looking at yourself and your wounds. Remember this Scripture and let The Word spoken there be your comfort:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith The LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Shalom!

THANKFUL THURSDAY MORNING PRAYER!
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” — Psalm 107:1 (KJV)
Heavenly Father, in the mighty and precious name of Jesus, we come before You this Thursday morning with grateful hearts.
Before we ask You for anything, we simply want to say THANK YOU!
Thank You for waking us up this morning. Thank You for another day of life. Thank You for breath in our bodies, strength to rise, and another opportunity to experience Your grace and mercy.
Your Word declares:
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
Lord, everything may not be the way we want it to be, but You are still good.
Some of us woke up carrying burdens nobody knows about. Some are worried about their families. Some are concerned about their health. Some are struggling financially. Some are grieving the loss of someone they love. Some are dealing with problems in their marriages and relationships. Some are concerned about their children. Some are waiting on employment or a better opportunity. Some are fighting battles in their minds. And some are simply tired from everything life has brought their way.
But this morning, we choose gratitude over complaining, faith over fear, and worship over worry.
Your Word tells us:
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
Father, thank You for the prayers You have answered, and thank You for the prayers where the answer is still on the way.
Thank You for the doors You opened, and thank You for the doors You closed because You knew what was on the other side.
Thank You for what You allowed, and thank You for what You prevented.
Thank You for protecting us from dangers seen and unseen.
Thank You for the times we didn't know how we were going to make it—but somehow You made a way!
Lord, somebody needs healing this morning. Touch bodies from the crowns of their heads to the soles of their feet. Strengthen those who are weak. Comfort those experiencing pain. Bring peace to troubled minds and encouragement to discouraged hearts.
For Your Word declares:
“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD.” — Jeremiah 30:17 (KJV)
Father, remember those who are grieving. When the house feels different, when memories bring tears, and when loneliness becomes overwhelming, wrap Your loving arms around them.
Remind them:
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4 (KJV)
Lord, bless our families. Restore broken relationships. Bring parents and children together. Strengthen marriages. Heal misunderstandings between siblings. Remove bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, division, and confusion.
Teach us to love one another, forgive one another, pray for one another, and appreciate one another while we still have the opportunity.
Father, somebody is worried about finances. Bills are due. Prices are high. Resources may be limited. Someone needs employment, a promotion, increased income, or simply enough to make it through.
But we stand upon Your Word:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
Provide, Lord. Open doors. Give wisdom concerning finances. Create opportunities that no person can shut.
Father, we pray for those struggling silently with anxiety, fear, depression, loneliness, disappointment, and discouragement.
Your Word says:
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
So this morning, we give You what we cannot carry.
We give You our children.
We give You our marriages.
We give You our health.
We give You our finances.
We give You our careers.
We give You our unanswered questions.
We give You our fears about tomorrow.
Lord, we put it all in Your hands!
Father, draw those who do not know Jesus into a saving relationship with You. Let hearts be softened, lives transformed, and souls saved. Restore those who have walked away and remind them that there is still room at Your table.
And Lord, as we go through this Thursday, order our steps.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” — Psalm 37:23 (KJV)
Go before us into every workplace, classroom, hospital room, doctor's office, courtroom, meeting, highway, and home.
Protect those traveling.
Give wisdom to those making difficult decisions.
Give strength to caregivers.
Give peace to families facing uncertainty.
Give hope to those waiting for an answer.
Give courage to those beginning again.
And give endurance to those who are simply trying to make it through another day.
Most of all, Lord, keep us thankful.
When we are tempted to focus on what we don't have, remind us of what You have already provided.
When we become discouraged by how far we still have to go, remind us how far You have already brought us.
When life becomes difficult, remind us that we are never walking alone.
“For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” — Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)
So today we declare:
THANK YOU, LORD, FOR LIFE!
THANK YOU FOR GRACE!
THANK YOU FOR MERCY!
THANK YOU FOR PROTECTION!
THANK YOU FOR PROVISION!
THANK YOU FOR OUR FAMILIES!
THANK YOU FOR EVERY BLESSING—SEEN AND UNSEEN!
And even for the things we don't understand, we will still trust You.
Let this Thankful Thursday be filled with peace in our minds, joy in our hearts, strength in our bodies, love in our homes, provision for our needs, and the presence of God everywhere we go.
We give You all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise.
In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray.
AMEN AND AMEN!
THURSDAY DECLARATION...
Today, I choose gratitude over worry. I will thank God in every circumstance. I believe He is working even when I cannot see it. My family is covered, my steps are ordered, my needs will be supplied, and God will give me strength for whatever this day brings. This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! In Jesus' name, Amen!

Devotion: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.’ I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

We are nothing compared to Christ. It would do us well to remember that we are, after all, God’s creations, and while He made us in a perfect way, we live in an imperfect and sinful world, a world that we often find seductively attractive and even drawn to. God made us perfect, but we, because of our human nature tend to tread a wider road than the one He intends for us. We always want the ‘easy’ way out. This ‘easy’ way often involves atrocious acts, things that we never thought we’d be capable of. This is our weakness, our human nature, but luckily for us, we serve a powerful God.

* God is infinitely more powerful than weak man – Daniel 4:35: “He looks on the people of the earth as nothing; angels in heaven and people on earth are under his control. No one can oppose his will or question what he does.”

* Man was born weak – Job 14:1-2: “We are all born weak and helpless. Alle lead the same, short, troubled life. We grow and wither as quickly as flowers; we disappear like shadows.”

* God is all powerful – Jeremiah 32:27: “I am the LORD, the God of the whole human race. Nothing is too difficult for me.”

* God holds our lives in His hands – Job 12:10: “It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone’s life is in his power.”

* God will show mercy to all so that His Name can be glorified – Acts 10:35: “Those who worship him and do what is right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to.”

* In our weakness we have received redemption, sowe owe our life to God – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “You do not belong to yourselves but to God; he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God’s glory.”

Do you understand that your weakness is proof of God’s glory? Do you know your trials and troubles are proof of His patience and mercy? They are not punishment for a worldly life, they are tests that each Christian must endure to prove his worth.

Are you prepared to take up your cross, carry your burden, and show the world that you can thrive in the Name of the Father?

More reading: Isaiah 40:15-22; Psalm 103:14; Matthew 19:26

#2Corinthians12 #Ourweakness #GodsPower #Faith

🫶 Jeremiah 17:7

The Lord reminded His people who were in exile, lost and far from home that He was just a prayer away, and that those who wholeheartedly sought Him would certainly find Him.

While Jesus walked the earth, He taught and exemplified this life of prayer. Whatever be our petitions, when they are faith-filled, sincere, contrite, persistent and in line with God's will, the Lord will answer them.

The reason Jesus came down to earth was to seek and to save the lost. When we seek God, His Kingdom and His righteousness and make that our top priority, we need not worry or fear, because God will take care of us.

Have a beautiful day, knowing that the Lord hears our every prayer, and He is seeking those who are willing to love and serve Him wholeheartedly.
Esther Collins
Based on Jeremiah 29:12-13

THE PILGRIMS GUIDE

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26, 2026

STRENGTHENED THROUGH HIS SPIRIT

A WORD FROM THE WORD:

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." Ephesians 3:16 NKJV.

There is an aspect of weakness that rest, in its physiological curativeness cannot cure and encouragement cannot fix. It is the weariness that resonates within the inner being of a being when the heart feels tired, the mind feels heavy, and the spirit feels drained. That is why Paul the apostle, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit from the context of our foundational Scripture (Ephesians 3:1-21) desires inner strength for God's children, not just outward relief.

When God strengthens your inner being, fear loses control, discouragement fades, and endurance rises. You may still face pressure, but you will not collapse under it. You may still walk through challenges, but they will not break you. This same inner strength is what sustained David in the wilderness, Jeremiah in persecution, and Paul in affliction. It is the strength availed by the Holy Spirit, it is quiet, steady, and powerful.

As you align yourself to God’s will for your life, He renews your inner being through His Spirit, and causes you to rise with fresh strength for your assignments.

Send an invite to the Holy Spirit now, to strengthen your inner being.
Would you? If it has to be, it's up to you.

PRAYER BULLETS:

LORDJesus, strengthen me in my inner being by Your Spirit. Renew my resolve to align with Your will for me, and uphold me by Your power.

FURTHER READING:

1 Samuel 30:6; Jeremiah 15:20-21; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
__________________________________________

Amaobi Nwachukwu 2026.

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#ThePilgrimsGuide.

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." — Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Faith means trusting God even when you cannot yet see the answer. It is believing that His promises are true, even when your circumstances seem difficult. Sometimes we pray for healing, a breakthrough, a new opportunity, or restoration, but nothing seems to change. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith is choosing to believe that God is working behind the scenes, even when our eyes cannot see it.

God has never failed to keep His promises. His timing is always perfect, and His plans are always for our good. Every delay has a purpose, and every trial can strengthen our faith. Don't give up because your breakthrough may be closer than you think.

The Bible encourages us in 2 Corinthians 5:7"For we live by faith, not by sight."* We are called to trust God's Word instead of our fears or circumstances.

God also promises in Jeremiah 29:11"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."Even when you don't understand what God is doing, you can trust that He is leading you toward His perfect plan.

Finally, remember Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Today, choose faith over fear. Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep moving forward. What God has promised, He is faithful to fulfill. Your season of waiting is not wasted—God is preparing something greater than you can imagine. Trust Him, because what is impossible with man is always possible with God.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11

Brenda Walsh Ministries
Taking Directions.

Why is it that so many people have a problem with taking directions? At some time in our lives, most of us have probably used the phrase, “Don’t tell me what to do!” because no one really enjoys being “bossed around.” But learning to take directions starts as a toddler, and the older we become, the more complicated or challenging those directions can be. Children know that if they don’t obey, there will be a consequence. Students soon learn that if they want to pass on to the next grade, they must listen to their teacher and follow her instructions. Adults understand fully that if they don’t do what their boss is asking, then they’ll lose their jobs. And patients can’t expect to get well or have their health improve if they won’t take the advice of their doctor. So it is with our spiritual life. God’s given us His Holy Word as an instruction manual to help us on our journey here on earth. When we follow what He tells us to do, we not only avoid the pain, heartache, and pitfalls along the way, but we also draw closer to our Lord and Savior! Learning to take directions is absolutely essential if we want to have a joy-filled life and extremely crucial if we want a rich spiritual life and enjoy a close relationship with our best Friend, Jesus. Text: Jeremiah 7:23, Luke 11:28, Deuteronomy 4:2