At one point or the other, we have found ourselves in a pit. A pit is defined as a large hole in the ground and being stuck in a pit would just mean being in a situation or time and place in our lives where we literally feel stuck at the bottom. I would say pits come in different shapes, sizes, and in different seasons.
Personally, I have had many pit experiences and it has been a real struggle. During my post graduate program, I had planned out how everything would go. I was content and knew this was the right direction my life would be taking; everything was going as planned until I fell into a pit of sickness. This shook me to the core as my whole life was before me, the things that I had planned out all of a sudden did not seem that important and basic functions of life were now what mattered the most. I had two choices: despair or hope. I picked the latter even as my plans had to change. This was an uphill task and I must say I would have never accomplished it on my own. Through hope I was able to receive help from friends, family, and my church community in order to make it through.
When we find ourselves in a pit, where is our focus? It is so easy to lose focus and fix our attention on something irrelevant which would not help in the situation that we are in. First of all, our focus should be on the why. Why am I in this pit? This helps us gain perspective of the reason for being in a particular position. Many times, it will not make sense and you will have no answers, but it is important to keep your focus and go into survival mode. When an animal is trapped in a pit, it will use all its strength and wit to find any way to get out. It will make sounds, move, use its strength, and any other way to get out. But question is, why do we as human beings for the most part, choose to give up and not try to think of anything else outside of the pit we might be in at the moment?
True, you might have gotten into the pit due to no fault of yours or you might have been doing all the right things but still find yourself in a pit situation. The key is to look up. The only way out of a pit is up. You have to look up and force yourself to keep moving. Moving might be mentally, physically, or any other means and it may require help from people around us, our faith, or different avenues. DO NOT STOP MOVING!!
Secondly, we need to focus on the how. How are we going to get out and what resources are before us to help get us out of the pit. Our attitude is very important in this situation. In the story of Joseph in Genesis 37, the same brothers that threw him into the pit came back to get him out of the pit only to sell him into slavery. That is why it is important to be aware of what or who is around us because not everyone in your corner is for you. Have the right attitude, be positive, and believe that this pit season will only last a while.
I hope this has encouraged you to look at the pit in a different light. Let me know in the comments what ways have helped you get through your pit moments.
