Dying to Self

While nursing a bad attitude, I felt defensive in my position until God reminded me of a poem I memorized in eighth grade. Several verses were still easily recalled, and their rebuke cut through my selfishness. The rest of the verses I found online. I'm not convinced that this is the entire poem as I once knew it, but it still holds a powerful message. Perhaps you, too, will be blessed by its words.

Dying to Self

Author Unknown

When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set at naught,

and you do not sting or hurt at the oversight,

but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ;

that is dying to self. 

When your good is evil spoken of,

your wishes are crossed,

your advice disregarded,

your opinions ridiculed,

and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself,

but take it all in patient, loving silence;

that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder,

any irregularity, any annoyance;

when you can stand face to face with waste,

folly, extravagance, or spiritual insensitivity

and endure it as Jesus endured it;

that is dying to self.

When you are content with any offering, any raiment,

any climate, any society, any solitude, 

any interruption by the will of God;

that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation 

or to record your own good works

or itch after commendation;

when you can truly love to be unknown;

that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met,

and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit

and feel no envy, nor question God,

while your own needs are far greater

and you are in desperate circumstances;

that is dying to self.

When you can take correction or reproof 

from one of less stature than yourself,

and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly,

finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart;

that is dying to self.