“How to Scramble Out of the Pit”

Posted on by
Reply

Confessions of a fellow who has spent some time teetering on the rim of that pit (and yes, sometimes had to climb out after a painful fall.)

Some years ago a period of depression followed me like a gray winter day that just wouldn’t end. Maybe it wasn’t depression, but it was at least a hard “recession” of the soul. I was full of my hurt, stuck in a bad place. I’ve never shared this, but I was even fantasizing about crashing my car and ending my confusion.

I didn’t because suicide is one of the most painful things I could have inflicted on those I loved the most. And deep inside, I loved God and I knew this wasn’t the end, this wasn’t His plan for my life.

I kept going. And somehow, slowly, the light came back. I would have missed a ton of blessings if I had quit and, perhaps most tragically, I would have missed much of the reason God put me on earth.

During that tough time, and over the years, counseling with tons of hurting people, I’ve noticed some keys to crawling out of the pit of despair.

Lessons For Climbers

Cry Out!

When a hopeless heart paralyzes you, call on God and hang in there. An active friend told me about a period of his life when darkness so gripped him that he couldn’t get off the couch.

“Before, if I had seen someone like that, I would have said, ‘Get off that couch and get going.’ But I couldn’t do it.” Sometimes all we can do is cry out to God over and over. That’s okay. Don’t quit. Speak to God.

Wait Patiently

Wait for Him to answer. That doesn’t mean you’re jumping with joy and dancing in circles. You may be gritting your teeth and holding on for dear life. But, hold on and do what you know to do even if you don’t feel like it. Someone remarked that it’s easier to act yourself into feeling than to feel yourself into acting.

Remind Yourself

Remind yourself that He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. Read the Word to draw life as you see what God says about your situation. Remind Him what He said. God hasn’t forgotten. You’re really reminding yourself, but that Word puts life and power in your backbone.

These “down” times usually resolve themselves after a while. Either the problem will end, or we’ll adjust to deal with it with the Lord’s help as God strengthens us and shows us the direction to go.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” (Psalm 40:1-3, ESV)

Ask For Help

Count on God to rally help. The friend I mentioned earlier told me about the patience his pastor and another mature Christian in the church had for him. Sometimes he called in the middle of the night because he was desperate to talk to someone, and these two patiently listened and urged him through until he came out into the light of healing.

I know that when I was in this “dark night of the soul,” one day a friend, John, said to me, “David, what is it? When I pray I never have tears, but this morning when I was praying for you I was crying.” 

My uncle Donnie was someone I really admired and he called me from the United States (I was in Europe) and encouraged me in the Lord.

Don’t keep your deadly pain to yourself. Ask for help. Maybe it’s not for everyone to know, but you need a few faithful friends to carry you in prayer and encouragement when you can’t walk by yourself.

If you’re hurting, call on God, even if all you can do is whisper and your feelings weigh you down as if a dinosaur sits upon you.

Praise Him!

Praise and worship the Lord, even if you have no desire. The one who praises God enters a special place of intimacy with Him. You’re going to have times in life when you are full of good feelings and times when you feel nothing. I think our relationship with God is determined by our praise more than our feelings.

A disobedient prophet called out to God from the belly of a huge fish (his “pit”). Here’s what God did for him. “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice… When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you… Salvation belongs to the Lord!” (Jonah 2:1-10)

Patiently scramble out of that pit!

Illustration: ChatGpt

Five Essentials Questions To Jumpstart 2026

Posted on by
Reply

So here we are starting another year and going through our first of the year rituals—making goals for change that we keep about a week, peering into the obscurity of the future seeing if we can make out what’s ahead, and hopefully, looking back on the past year to praise God for His goodness and to remember what we learned so we won’t make the same mistakes. 

I don’t know about you but I want to be a better servant of the Lord Jesus this year. I want a joyful, abundant life. I think we can move towards these goals by asking ourselves some piercing questions. 

  1. What area of your internal life would you like to change? 

For me it’s fear and the resulting doubt. That’s been a whole-life battle. Where’s your battle? 

Here is an action plan that you can carry out, however you answered the question. 1/Find what God’s Word says about your struggle. 2/Pray and think about the way out. 3/Begin with one action step. How am I going to conquer this? One step. 4/Pray and trust God for His strength and wisdom. Spiritual battles have spiritual solutions. 

  1. How am I going to grow in the Lord this year? 

Think it through. Just saying, “I’m going to read the Bible more and pray more,” isn’t enough, though it’s great to start if you don’t do this already. Why do you feel weak in your relationship with God? Think of examples in the Bible of how someone grew in God. Find someone further along the road of relationship with the Lord and see if you can spend some time with them. Get hungry to know Him more and more. 

  1. How am I going to deepen my most important relationships this year? 

Decide to do one practical thing and put it into practice regularly. Think! Relationships with others are gold and if you don’t work on them, they die. 

  1. What do you think God wants you to do this year? 

What practical step will you take in that direction? 

  1. If I could have a dream come true this year, what would it be? 

Write it down. Pray about it. What is one thing you could do to move towards seeing it happen? 

Write your answers and look at them once a week. Then at the end of the year tell me what happened. 

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) 

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) 

25 True Things About Jesus

Posted on by
Reply

Here are 25 key assertions the New Testament makes about Jesus Christ:

  1. He is the Son of God – A central claim throughout the Gospels and epistles (Matthew 16:16, John 1:34)
  2. He is the Messiah (Christ) – The long-awaited anointed one of Israel (Matthew 16:20, John 4:25-26)
  3. He is fully God – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1)
  4. He is fully human – He was born, grew, ate, slept, and experienced human emotions (Luke 2:52, Hebrews 2:17)
  5. He was born of a virgin – Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary (Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34-35)
  6. He lived a sinless life – “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22)
  7. He is the Creator of all things – “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3)
  8. He existed eternally, before creation – “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58)
  9. He is the exact representation of God – “He is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15)
  10. He performed miracles – Healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, commanded nature (throughout the Gospels)
  11. He died by crucifixion – Suffered under Pontius Pilate for the sins of humanity (1 Corinthians 15:3)
  12. His death was a substitutionary sacrifice – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24)
  13. He was buried – Placed in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb (1 Corinthians 15:4)
  14. He rose bodily from the dead on the third day – The cornerstone of Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:4, Luke 24:39)
  15. He appeared to many witnesses after his resurrection – Over 500 people saw him alive (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)
  16. He ascended into heaven – Returned to the Father forty days after resurrection (Acts 1:9-11)
  17. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father – A position of authority and honor (Mark 16:19, Hebrews 1:3)
  18. He is the only way to salvation – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6)
  19. He will return to earth – The Second Coming to judge and establish his kingdom (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11-16)
  20. He is Lord of all – Every knee will bow to him (Philippians 2:9-11)
  21. He has all authority in heaven and on earth – Given by the Father (Matthew 28:18)
  22. He is the head of the church – The church is his body (Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18)
  23. He gives eternal life to those who believe – “Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
  24. He sends the Holy Spirit – To indwell and empower believers (John 14:16-17, 26)
  25. He intercedes for believers – He continually prays for those who are his (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25)

These assertions form the core of New Testament Christology and represent the early church’s understanding of who Jesus is and what he accomplished. (Claude.ai)

Stomping Them In the Name of Jesus?

Posted on by
Reply

The prize isn’t beating others—it’s becoming the person God created you to be.

A lady once rebuked me for being too competitive. We were at a kids’ camp, and we sponsored one of the teams. The kids were around 12, maybe younger.

Anyway, in one of our softball games we were wiping out the other team. One of their players hit a screaming line drive that showed promise, but, of course, I made an amazing catch to break his heart. ESPN might have featured it among their ten best plays of the day.

All the guys on our team were, “Yes!” but our lady sponsor wasn’t impressed. “Let them score some. You’re too competitive,” she scolded me.

When the camp ended and I pointed the church bus towards home, the last thing she said to me was, “Don’t be so competitive.”

I wasn’t competitive after that. I was irritated.

Losing By Winning?

My goal when I’m playing is to win! I think certain problems in my childhood made me feel like I had to stand out in a positive way so that people would like me. Truth is, I remember the kids’ admiration of my catch as much as the rebuke from my partner.

And, um, psychology aside, I love to win and hate to lose.

Stomping Them In the Name of Jesus?

This can pose a problem. Instead of seeing other people as fellow runners on the same team, sometimes I’ve seen them as competitors for something that I wanted: position, recognition, ministry opportunities, etc.

The Bible says that we are in a race. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize.” (Phil. 3:13, NIV)

But if I am straining to win the race, and I look over into the next lane, I’m surprised to see that the fellow competing with me. I’m not racing against others. I’m racing against the man God created me to be and to accomplish the mission that He put me on earth to accomplish.

You see, in God’s kingdom the race is not against the other runners; it’s against ourselves, running the path that God has laid out for us.

What does that look like?

How is this David different from the “competitive David”? I’m still competitive but the goal is different. I’m battling to become what God made me to be instead of stomping someone else.

The Bible warns that when we compare ourselves with others, we aren’t wise (2 Cor. 10:12). And there are certain character traits that grow stronger and stronger in a person who always wants to beat everyone. And these aren’t good.

Sally And June

I heard a story about an elderly couple sitting on their porch. Let’s call them Uncle Jim and Aunt Sally. A friend from the church, Sis June we’ll call her, walked by and started a conversation about spiritual things with Aunt Sally. Both tried to sound profound.

After June continued her walk, Aunt Sally remarked to Jim, “You know, Sis June is a spiritual woman, but I just feel like I’m a little closer to God than she is.”

Uncle Jim considered that a moment, then said, “Well, ain’t neither one of you crowding Him too much.”

Some years ago, I played a pickup basketball game with other pastors and missionaries. One pastor was obnoxiously aggressive and competitive. I’ll admit to being nettled, and I had to pray about my attitude (and the desire to elbow him in the ribs).

If I am always competing against others, crowing like the biggest rooster on top of the barn, I will bring out the worst in those around me. And that should scare me to death because my job is not to be top dog; it is to help others grow and succeed in the Lord.

So, I look at the Word of God to see how I’m running, and I try to see the man God created me to be. I run to be that man. You’re running your race, I’m running mine, and we’re encouraging each other because we can both win the prize that God has put before us.

Here are some amazing helps for you in your race.

There is a reward for everyone who wins his or her race. (2 Timothy 4:7, 8)

False teachers and false doctrine can slow you down. (Galatians 5:7)

Each one should evaluate how well he is running instead of constantly scrutinizing others in order to feel that he’s running faster. (Galatians 6:4, 5)

Winners discipline their bodies and their spirits. They run to win, not just to finish. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Race winners aim to grow daily. They don’t settle for mediocrity (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Winners focus on the goal, not the past. (Philippians 3:13–14).

Those who finish well have their eyes fixed on Jesus, and they keep running, even when fatigue or discouragement tempts them to quit (Heb. 12:1, 2).

Remember, this race is not about outrunning others—it’s about becoming the version of ourselves that God created us to be and accomplishing the mission He put us on earth to accomplish.

Run your race. Become the person God had in mind when He made you. That’s the prize.

The Hole In the Soul

Posted on by
Reply

by John Leese

Some years ago I was in Hospital in Luxembourg recovering from surgery when I heard a
very excited voice in the corridor outside my room: “Where is he? Where is he? The man
from from Stoke-on-Trent?” I was born in Stoke-on-Trent, a not very well known City in the
UK. I was surprised by the sudden interest in my birthplace!.

The excited young lady, a Nurse, came into my room saying, “You come from where he
comes from!” “Who?” I said. “Robbie Williams” she replied. Unfortunately, I’d never heard
of this world famous English singer and songwriter! The Nurses’ enthusiasm was not
dampened. Next day she brought me several books about her favorite singer, which I
read, thinking there may be a test later!

I learned that not only was Robbie Williams born the same City as I was, but we both lived
in the same street, though not at the same time. I found the story of Robbie Williams
interesting, but sad. I got the feeling that he was searching for something that fame and
fortune had not given him. In his song, Feel, Robbie Williams sings: “I just want to feel real
love,There’s a hole in my soul, You can see it in my face. It’s a real big place.”

There is a ‘hole in everyone’s soul’ that neither celebrity nor wealth can fill. The problem
is, as Pascal said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot
be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus
Christ.” – Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John
10:10 NIV). It is God who ‘makes known to us the path of life…’ It is God who fills us with
joy in His presence …” (Ps 16:11)

The Feelings Are Gone?

But what about the Christian who was once rejoicing in God, eager to serve the Lord, but
who now feels dissatisfied, empty, even a bit bored by ‘church’? … How can the ‘joy of
salvation’ be restored? Allow me to suggest 3 things:

First, “Be filled with the Spirit…” says Ephesians 5:18 (NIV). The Greek present tense
suggests that the filling of the Spirit is not a once-for-all experience, but something that can
and should be repeated regularly. How? Start by asking the Lord to do it … to fill you with
His Holy Spirit. Ask every day, be persistent until the light shines and the Holy Spirits fills
you once again!

Then second, stay ‘filled with the Spirit’ by “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns,
and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving
thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians
5:19-20 NIV).

We need a varied selection of worship songs to keep us ‘filled with the Spirit’ – Songs that
are based on the Psalms, that are focused on God and honour Him. Hymns that have a
depth of meaning, filled with the great truths of the Bible. ‘Songs from the Spirit’ – songs
that are inspired by, influenced by the Holy Spirit, that glorify the Son. Make you own
spiritual playlist – sing ‘from your heart to the Lord’ at home, in the car, wherever you can!

Last, be thankful: “Always giving thanks to Goad the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” says Ephesians 5:20 (NIV). Nicky Gumbel, of the Alpha Cours, said
that while sitting on a bench in a park in London he started to thank God for His blessings.
Within a short time he had mentioned 100 things! I thought ‘I’ll try that’ … I soon reached
100 and was greatly encouraged.

So, let’s take responsibility for our spiritual well being. Let’s do all we can to stay ‘filled with
the Spirit!’