Do I care about injustice? The oppressed?

Proverbs 29:7
7The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

Isaiah 1:17
17Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. [a] Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

Hebrews 13:3
3Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Psalm 94:18-19
18When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. 19When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

We are supposed to be concerned about "justice for the poor" and "defending the oppressed" and remembering those who are mistreated. Usually, I would be on board with those ideas. That seems like a tall order to me today, though!

On a good day, I would say that I think about others. I would say that I do things for others. I would like to think that I help people out. However, are these people the fatherless, the oppressed, the imprisoned?  Must they be these people? What about the regular people you meet everyday who are having a bad day and you help them? Do you have to help the imprisoned, the oppressed, the widow, etc. to be in God's will? To be doing what He wants? If I just go through my regular day and try to be kind and uplift people, is that enough?

Well, maybe it is enough, if it is about the other person because of your faith. Recently, though, things have been about me. How I feel about things. How I am mistreated. How unfair things are at work right now. How my opinion isn't valued. I feel like I am the oppressed!

I see the pattern! Me. Me. Me. You would think by now, I would have realized how incredibly self-absorbed all my complaints are! Are they really important? Well, they are to God! Psalm 94:18-19
18When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. 19When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Well, anxiety is great within me today. I know it is because I am concerned for myself and my "oppression!" The good news is, God is concerned about my concerns! They might not be monumental and I am definitely not oppressed as people are in third world countries, but isn't it fantastic that Gud is still concerned about me! I am not alone in this! He will support me!

During those times when helping others seems far away from my thoughts, and my problems are the focus, God doesn't point a finger and say shame on you. Satan does; God doesn't! Satan wants us to feel bogged down by the simple things that can add up to a seemingly big problem if we let it get that far. However, if we remember God is for us...who can be against us...well, them we have victory! 

My day may not be any better today than it was yesterday, but I will stand strong with God at my side. Actually, God will stand strong...I will just be there with God helping me through. I will be able to see the oppressed and the mistreated even through the eyes of a person who feels that way themselves! I can still help others while God helps me and maybe while others help me!

So, back to the original question. Am I concerned about the oppressed? Do I do something about that? I don't think I spend a great deal of time genuinely worried about the oppressed and I don't spend much time doing anything for them. I do need to change that. I know the only reason I came to that conclusion is God. God wants me back on track. He knows I won't feel good about myself and my situations until I have my eyes on Him and His will and not on me!

Father, please help me! I am weak! I am selfish! I am worried about myself and my feelings! Forgive me! I trust You! I know You will stay close to me even when I am lost and confused. You will bring me back! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!