…If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interest]….-Mark 8:34
Having self on the mind all the time insures a miserable life.
I find it a challenge to keep myself off my mind, but the more I obey the Lord’s command in this area, the happier I become.
I think all of us form the habit of trying to take care of ourselves. We want to make plans for ourselves and be sure that we are well provided for.
Obviously, one cannot live without giving some thought to himself and making plans, but when you and I move into a selfish, self-centered mind-set, we are out of God’s will.
Our society promotes “me-ism,” but the Word of God does not.
It is imperative that God’s children resist the magnetic pull of worldly ways and refuse to be excessive in self-centered thinking. I believe many people are depressed because they spend all their time trying to make themselves happy. True joy comes only from giving life away-not from striving to keep it.
Don’t ruin your life by trying to keep it. Be a blessing to others, and you will be blessed. Give and it shall be given unto you. Die to self-centeredness and really begin to live!