“The Pit of Despair”
After a few minutes of sharing a
personal testimony, Michelle Connolly offered up some words of wisdom according
to scripture that might minister to those of us who often find ourselves in
that "Pit of Despair." We've all been there. Some of us may be there
now.
The following is an edited
portion of what Michelle shared with the Koinonia Community. Take time to share
with us and be blessed by the scriptures we can all cling to.
(When) our feelings enslave us, keep us in bondage, God will
always provide a way out. Ezra pointed that out in his prayer.
We have a choice to get out of the pit and grow to the heights the
Lord wants for us, but few will choose God’s grace.
The Israelites had been captured and brought to Babylon but God
promised they would be able to go back to their home land and rebuild. (Unfortunately)
when given a chance to do so few chose to do that (Ezra 9:8-9).
When something happens to us, we as human beings, children of God,
daughters of the Almighty Father, all of us full of sin nature can find
ourselves in the pit.
You know the place, the place where we go when we get to be in our
feelings of wallowing and self-pity. (More
often than not) along comes someone who can listen and(too often) we want
that person to jump into the pit with us.
But how often does God himself come by the pit, stick out HIS hand
so HE can pull us out, and we (respond by getting) angry?
God tries all kinds of tactics, including sending those people HE knows
will help lend a hand out of the pit. Sadly, we struggle with that by turning
away from the help. In the confusion of our feelings
In the
moment of struggle and in the moment of confusion It is then that we can’t recognize God’s hand, his presence in
action.
Why can’t we recognize God’s hand
or presence?
What stops us from reaching for HIS
help?
What stops us from seeing the
help HE is providing?
Why can’t we recognize HIS divine
intervention?
God’s word
will not teach you to wallow in your circumstance, “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as
I walked along” (Psalm 40).
God’s word
will not encourage you to stay down “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are
safe” (Proverbs 18:10), “So do not
fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10), Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your
hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”. (John
14:27)
There are many more verses so take time to read them… John 16:33, Ps 16:8, Ps 46:1-3,2Tim 1:7,
Ps 55:22 (Take some time to search out your own. The Bible is full of
verses that can minister to you personally)
God’s word
will not provide excuses to stay in that place and in that moment, “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my
glory, the One who lifts my head high” (Psalm
3:3)
“We are made
alive in Christ” “As for you, your were
dead in your transgressions and sins In which you used to live when you
followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, (example of
jumping in the pit of despair)the spirit
who is now at work in those who are disobedient All of us also lived among them at one time gratifying the cravings of our
flesh and following its desires and thoughts” (Ephesians 2:1-3)
“Therefore,
remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised
by those who call themselves the circumcision which is done in the body by
human hands remember that at the time you were separate from Christ excluded
from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise
without God in the world (God’s hand), But now in
Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of
Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has
destroyed the barrier, the
dividing wall of hostility by setting aside in his flesh the law with its
commands and regulations (his plan once we get out of the pit) His purpose was to create in himself one new
humanity out of the two thus making peace an in one body to reconcile both of
them to God through the cross by which he put death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were
far away and peace to those who were near for through him we both have access
to the Father by one Spirit” (Ephesians
2:11-18)
“The Lord
works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed He made know his ways to
Moses his deeds to the people of Israel The Lord is compassionate and gracious
slow to anger, abounding in love He will not always accuse nor will he harbor
his anger forever he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us
according to our iniquities For as high as the heavens are above the earth so
great is his love for those who fear him as far as the east is from the west so
far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:6-13)
That "IN
THE MOMENT" Struggle
God wants you and I to see that even when we are “in the moment”
of our struggle and dealing with our feelings HE will provide what we need to
come out of the pit. All it takes is for us to reach up with our hand and see HIS
hand waiting to reach back and give us the ability, opportunity and courage to start
again.
“For we are
God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10)
Are you in
the pit of despair today?
Spend some time reflecting on the scripture verses above and let
your heart dwell on the words so beautifully expressed in the worship song,
Amazing Grace.
Amazing
grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now
I’m found, was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace
that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved, how precious did
that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
My Chains
are gone, I’ve been set free, my God, my Savior has ransomed me, and like a
flood His mercy reins, unending love, Amazing Grace.
The Lord has
promised good to me, His word my hope secures,
He will my
shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
The earth
shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine, but God who called me
here below.
Will be
forever mine Will be
forever mine You (GOD) are
forever mine
Amazing
Grace
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