Broken For Building

Recently, I visited a pit. I stayed there for quite sometime. I was physically present in my daily activities but my spirit was in a hole.  What do you mean “you’ve been in a pit?” For me, the pit is where I am secluded emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically.  It’s a place where my emotions get the best of me. It’s a place where I feel no one understands me. Its where I feel alone even though I am in the midst of people. The pit is dark and lonely. It’s quiet and often times, it’s difficult to speak to or hear from God. 

Sometimes I fall in the pit accidentally. Someone says something that triggers the wrong emotions and all of a sudden, I find myself falling. Sometimes I jump in the pit; I let my thoughts – the what ifs, the why nots, and the maybes- take over. Sometimes I allow my surroundings (people, places, events) to lead me gently to the pit. 

While in the pit, I have doubts. Real doubts – What if God isn’t with me? What if I made the wrong decision? What if I am unsuccessful? What if? While in the pit, I rarely have encouraging words for others. Sometimes I can muster up a few words of inspiration, but I wonder when my words of encouragement are going to come? Who will help to lift me out of my pit? If you are not careful, you can quickly end up enjoying the pit. You start to tell yourself that you prefer not dealing with others and that its easier to just be alone. But that is not God’s desire for you.  

Psalm 139: 7-8 reminds us that no matter what the circumstances, God is with us. 

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

No matter how deep into the pit we travel, there is a way out. No matter how deeply entrenched our wounds are, there is hope. There is a light that though buried, can be reignited.  If you find yourself in a pit, stretch your hand upward. Lift up your head and muster up the strength to cry out to God. Cover yourself in the Word of God until it warms your spirit and you no longer feel the chill of the pit. 

Jehovah Shammah means “Jehovah is there.” He is there with you wiping every tear. He is there with you as you make the difficult decisions . He is there with you as you gird up to climb out of the pit.  He is walking with you when it seems as though no one else is there. He is providing you with the strength you need. You cannot escape from His arms of love. You can walk, run, climb, or crawl back to His arms.  Jehovah is still there.