2:18 – Crawling out of the Pit of Despair

#faithbites #faithjourney despair

We all have times in our lives when we have great disappointment. When it feels like the world is crashing down all around us. That no matter what we do, we are at rock bottom. This is the pit of despair. And no, Lord Humperdink is not responsible for this one.

I have only felt that a few times in my life, this week when I found out my dissertation was shot and have to redo much of the last 8 months of work. Sadness, loss, depression, failure, and regret have been my constant companions. But through prayer, talking to friends, and reflection, I began to pull myself out. Then, I received another email related to this situation, that felt as if a hand was reaching out of the pit to pull me back down. I know this too will pass and I will reach the top of the pit, look down and feel victorious. Then over time, that deep abyss will only be a little dip in the road.

Our faith is like this. We get bombarded all the time with temptation, pain, worry, grief, regret, sadness, and loss. We all fall into the pit of despair. Sometimes the pit feels so deep that we can’t even see the light on top. Then when we do try to climb out, we get pulled back in. But we must remember, while we may be in the pit, we are never alone.

Scripture

• We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
• When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. – Psalm 34:17-20
• No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Reflection

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that life will be easy. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that being a Christian will be all sunshine, puppy dogs, and unicorns. In fact, over and over we are told it will be hard. In the 2 Corinthians passage, we see that we will be knocked down, struck down, afflicted with everything that the world and Satan has to offer, but we will not be destroyed.

This is not an easy path. We will be tempted over and over again. We will be in the pit of despair but as it says in the 1 Corinthians passage, God will always provide a way to escape so we may endure it. Lastly, we just need to cry out to God and he will ensure that we are protected, safe, and will be delivered out of the pit.

As much pain as I have been in this week, I have seen God. He has put several people, including my wife, in my path this week to listen to me.They have let me complain and explain my situation. They are God’s hands on Earth. I have prayed every night for guidance and have recieved it.

We may all fall into the pit and be pulled down, but God will always offer a hand out, we just need to take it.

Charge

This charge is all about you and can be done on your own. Are you in a pit or a slump right now? Have you been in one before. If you were in the past, how did you get out? If you are now, have you looked for God’s hand to pull you out? Take a minute and pray about it. Then you will be surprised in the manner that God offers his hand to pull you out.

Prayer

Dear God, help me see that there is a lit at the top of the pit. Give me your hand to fight back the hands pulling me back into the pit. Give us all the strength and resolve to resist the temptation of staying in the pit. Provide us the vision to see the helping hands you have put place for us. Let us all know that we are never alone no matter how deep the pit seems. In your heavenly name, Amen.