'Get Out of that Pit'

I have recently been reading a book called "Get Out of that Pit" by Beth Moore. It has inspired and encouraged me over this past week, but it has been a tough read. Basically, these pits are traps that Satan has put out there for us that we find ourselves in. I went through a lot this past semester in the way of 'pits' and this books has shown me how these 'pits' progressed in my life. Let me explain... There are three different ways to get into these pits:

1. You get Thrown in
2. You Slip in
3. You Jump in

At the beginning of the semester (Spring 2008), I innocently found myself in a pit. I got thrown in before I realized what had happened or where I was. Just like when Joseph's brothers threw him into the pit, I was blindsided by this pit. I wonder, however, if I could have prevented this first type of pit. I mean, as Joseph was walking around, talking about his dreams and flaunting his new coat...was I looking for trouble, too?

This first pit makes you believe that everything is your fault. Believe me, it is very difficult to forgive the person who threw you in. God's grace and power is the only way that you will ever get out of this pit. You have to forgive yourself for being swept in and forgive the other person for pulling you into their own existing pit.

The second type of pit is one that you slip in. You don't mean to exactly, but you weren't watching where you were going and got distracted by new things around you. It wasn't what you wanted to happen, but before you knew it, you found yourself in the bottom of a dark hole. No one else can be blamed for it, but boy, do you want everyone to feel bad for you!

I kinda 'progressed' from being thrown into a pit to slipping into it later on my own. I thought it had to be someone else's fault, but I was wrong. When I tried to point a finger, I found three fingers pointing back at me. Each day that this pit is a struggle for me, I have to remember to put my hope in God and praise Him...for He is my Savior (Ps. 42:5).

I just started the chapter on the third pit, but it has to be the worst. You know that this pit is wrong, foolish, and is not God's will, but you jump into this nasty pit of sin anyway. I know that this became my attitude in the last few weeks of the semester. I tried to blame this pit on my own innocence, but there is no innocence found in the bottom of this pit.


So...that is where I am in the 'pit' book. It has challenged me to live each day and every moment for the Lord. I can't just go crawling back to Him each time I find myself in a pit of some kind. Each day is His, and the decisions I make will effect my future.

I have been reading through Proverbs as well...one chapter each day. My favorite verse thus far is Proverbs 4:23. You probably know it as "Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." I always wondered exactly what that meant, but I came across a children's version that made a lot of sense to me. It said, "Be vey careful about what you think; your thoughts run your life." How very fitting. Every thought I have must be held up to the Word of God. Like a farmer sifts his wheat from the chaff, my ungodly thoughts must be blown away in the wind.

Lord, help me live each day for You and give You all glory and praise. This day is not about me or my desires, but about giving you the honor for my every breath.