I need a safe place to confess…I fell into the pit again. The pit of discouragement.

It’s a trap, and I do my best to avoid it. Didn’t even see that dark hole till I tumbled in. Then I knew exactly where I’d landed. I’ve been there before.

This plunge happened while I was carrying a load of worries—a dozen possibilities I couldn’t control. The what-ifs had piled up obscuring my view. Life felt as if I were walking through a forest at midnight.

Wandering in this dark, uncertain place, I tossed the worries around. Nothing looks promising. Why keep trying? There’s no hope.

Poison thinking led straight to the pit, and before I could catch myself, I crashed headlong to the bottom, scattering my worries among the brush and briars. Reeling from the fall, I shook myself off and tried to clear my thoughts. How did this happen again? How will I get out?

Poison thinking led straight to the pit, and before I could catch myself, I crashed headlong to the bottom, scattering my worries among the brush and briars. Reeling from the fall, I shook myself off and tried to clear my thoughts.… Click To Tweet

I reached in my pocket and pulled out my fail-proof deliverance strategy—God’s Word stored in my heart—and began reviewing verses.

“Behold! God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:20).

Could I believe this in the pit? Well…yes! Gathering my worries, I noticed a hand reaching down to help as I began climbing, one step after another. Back on solid ground, I put all those worries in the hands of my faithful God, who alone can do something about impossibilities.

I’m traveling on, believing this truth.

“Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant” (1 Kings 8:56).

“Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant” (1 Kings 8:56). Click To Tweet

God always keeps his promises.

I’m compelled to warn others. Watch your step! More importantly, watch your thoughts!

Have you spent time in the pit of discouragement? I’d appreciate your leaving a comment. And please share this with your friends!

© Dianne Barker 2018 (reprinted)