Cancel the Pity Party

Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  

Matthew 6:16-18

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in The Cost of Discipleship, wrote that “A Christian needs to observe a strict exterior discipline…” but that alone will not crush the will of the flesh.

I think one of the times the will of the flesh creeps in is when we encounter problems.  It is difficult to stay positive and it is easy to complain and whine.  Of course everyone sees our pity party and perhaps we get some earthly sympathy for our efforts.

But, that’s not we are supposed to be doing.  We should be praying, and perhaps we even are, and our behavior should reflect what we believe, that is that we serve a living God who is intimately acquainted with us and who has it all under control. 

And, we need to take Jesus’ advice and put on our makeup (or shave), smile and look confident, so that we are a testimony to the power of God in our lives.