About 3 years ago, during a psychology class, my teacher handed out this poem. At this time in my life, I was just beginning to even understand what dying to myself was. I was also reading a book by David Nassar “A Call to Die”. It was awesome, and then I received this poem and it blew me away! Tonight I was reading a few chapters in a book by Fenelon called “Christian Perfection” on dying to ourselves. It was awesome. And it reminded me of this poem and I wanted to share it with everyone. Its amazing. Help us Jesus to become more like You and less like ourselves!
You can check out some of Fenelon’s writings by clicking here or under articles on the right sidebar.
DYING TO SELF
When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or 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, when 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 impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to- face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility-and endure it as Jesus endured.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, 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 commendations, 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 in desperate circumstances.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
When you can receive correction and 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
Are you dead yet? In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross.
“That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Phil.3:10
Do you know who the piece “Dying to Self” was written by? I’m trying to find out.
Yeah, but I don’t have it with me here in Atlanta, but I have it where I live at home. I can find out for you and let you know 🙂
I love Fenelon–thank you for reminding me of him, and for the poem. It is a solution I needed. Happy dying!
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