By Allison Gingras
Surely, I wait for the Lord;
who bends down to me and hears my cry,
Draws me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the muddy clay,
Sets my feet upon rock,
steadies my steps,
And puts a new song in my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
Many shall look on in fear
and they shall trust in the Lord.
Blessed the man who sets
his security in the Lord,
who turns not to the arrogant
or to those who stray after falsehood.
You, yes you, O Lord, my God,
have done many wondrous deeds!
And in your plans for us
there is none to equal you.
Should I wish to declare or tell them,
too many are they to recount. (Psalm 40:2-6)
Oh, how often I have found myself in the “pit of destruction,” at times, I might even consider it a “pit of despair.”
Ways Into the Pit
There are so many ways into the pit. We can be thrown by unexpected news such as a diagnosis or loss of a job. Some have slipped in, for instance, by starting a diet to lose a few pounds and finding themselves months later struggling with an eating disorder. Ah, and my favorite, some of us jump in with two feet because it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Finding Hope and a Way Out
It is hard to trust in the Lord, when you are waist deep in muck and mire, looking up through a narrow hole of hope. Yet, in that position, we know there is only One way out. Only One who can lift us out of the pit and plant our feet firmly again on solid ground. If we start to look around instead of up, we’ll quickly find only obstacles and obstructions — or worse, we’ll tunnel ourselves all the deeper into the pit.
Learning to Trust God in all Circumstances
To trust in God and His plans for us requires three things:
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- Hindsight. Remembering the good we have seen God do in our lives the last time we found ourselves in difficult situations. Looking back at other pits and how we emerged from them, carefully examining each memory to discover where the mystical, miraculous, and beautiful broke through to rescue us.
- Asking. God is not a genie in a bottle; you cannot use up your prayers to Him. There is not a limited number of times you can call out for comfort, assistance, or guidance. His promise is sure and true, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-9).
- Faith. Not mountain size but a mustard seed, even the smallest amount of trust in God’s love and His will for your good, can open a floodgate of peace and hope in any situation. This is especially important if this is your first time in the pit or the first time you are open to accepting God’s help out of it.
Where Do I Begin to Find Peace
There is always a way out of the pit; the first step is to look up.
His plans for you are wondrous; the good He wishes on his beloved sons and daughters is immeasurable.
Allison Gingras is the founder of ReconciledToYou.com – where she shares her Catholic Faith and Relationship with Jesus with laughter and honesty in the everyday, ordinary of life! Her new book The Gift of Invitation: 7 Ways Jesus invites You to a Life of Grace, is part of the series she developed called Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women. Allison hosts A Seeking Heart with Allison Gingras recorded on FB Live Mondays 12:30 pm et; and distributed through Breadbox Media. Allison is a WINE Specialist overseeing and facilitating the online aspect of the Between the WINES Book Clubs. The Advent 2108 Read Between the WINEs BOOK CLUB: Gaze Upon Jesus — launching Nov. 4th — purchase your Gaze Upon Jesus Bundle now!
Checking in, Allison. You have so much going on! I like your reflection here. Recently, I was encouraged to read Psalm 55 by my priest.
The title is, “Lament Over Betrayal.” I think there are levels and varying circumstances we find ourselves in that rob our peace. (Obviously).
Mine lately was an exchange with an old friend who was really mean to me. Ugh. It was rough. Taking my lumps, I guess. I reflect on Jesus in his Passion and a few lines from Isaiah, (by memory) where He offered his back and endured buffets and spitting…and…He opened not his mouth. In the middle of Psalm 55, the verses, 13-15 read: If an enemy had reviled me, that I could bear. If my foe had viewed me with contempt, from that I could hide. But it was you, my other self, my comrade and friend, You, whose company I enjoyed, at whose side I walked in procession in the house of God. Can I say a big fat, WHOA? Reading this made me cry and in a way was strangely comforting. The Psalms, they do that to me.
Hi Susan, yes, I have been crazy busy since returning from CMN. It was such a blessing to meet you in person. I can’t wait to dive into your book, I just retrieved it last weekend from my friend in PA.
That is so profound, this piece actually came from an old notebook I have been re-reading from 2007, during a very difficult time with a friend. AND WHOA Psalm 55 hits home. It is those troubles with close friends that sting the most, at least that is how I feel. I sank so low during that time as it can be hard to like ourselves when someone who knows you so intimately suddenly finds issue with you.
Thanks for stopping in and sharing your heart today, it made my day!