When You’re in a Pit, Watch for a Rope

When You’re in a Pit, Watch for a Rope

Someone once remarked that her life was like a bowl of cherries—but all she had to show for it was the pits! In my life’s journey, I have found myself stuck in a pit more than once. It is a challenging place to be in, for often the sides of a pit are slippery and impossible to climb. All you can do is sit and wait for someone to help you get out.

Maybe you remember the amazing 2010 story of 33 heroic Chilean miners who were trapped 2,300 feet underground when their mine caved in. The mixed crew of experienced miners and technical support personnel were able to survive for 69 days in the 121-year-old mine before they were rescued. Millions of people around the world watched the final scenes in delight as the miners were brought safely to the surface.

Sometimes we fall into a pit because of our own foolishness, but at other times we get there because of someone else’s negligence or malice—“with a little help from our friends.”

When you are in a pit, it’s easy to feel as if you are the only one who has ever been in such a place. But that is far from the truth. Everyone ends up in a pit from time to time.  

This is a very good time to pray.

As you pray, picture a rope coming down into your pit of despair. To escape, you must stand up and ready yourself for the ascent to safety. You grasp the rope with all your might as it pulls you back to the surface to solid, firm ground.

But what about the times when you haven’t the strength to stand and hold onto the rope on your own strength? Visualize your ultimate hero descending into the pit on the rope. Then picture your Superhero scooping you into his arms and carrying you back up to safety.

Of course, many people go through life refusing to acknowledge their need for God’s help. Some may even deny His existence, while others like to say that He helps those who help themselves.

Ruth Bell Graham put this in perspective well: “God helps those who help themselves, but there are times when we are quite incapable of helping ourselves. That’s when God stoops down and gathers us in His arms like a mother lifts a sick child, and does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.”

If you’re in a pit today, God wants to pull you out. But you must acknowledge your need for Him and keep your eyes out for the rope He sends to bring you to safety.

A pit can be a lonely place, even if 32 other comrades are stuck there with you. But some of history’s greatest heroes spent some time there before their rescue came:

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,  out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock  and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth… (Psalm 40:1-3)

From the vantage point of the slimy pit, it is hard to imagine ever being on firm ground again. But cry out for help. There is hope!

What about you?

Describe any pits you’ve experienced in the past, and