Chapter 5 – Getting Out of Your Pit
Here we go again.
How is it that Beth Moore can read my mind? I mean, seriously…am I the only one who feels like she is banging me over the head here lately. Especially, and I mean totally and completely, in this chapter.
I have so many highlighter moments that the only thing I can do is start typing them here so we can share them together.
Page 91 – “We don’t need to deal with our pits. We need to get out of our pits. You can do it. Even if you have a history of failed attempts. Even if you don’t think you deserve it. Even if you’ve never lived anywhere else.”
Page 92 – “God meant for people to offer one another a helping hand. The trouble comes when we insist upon someone equally human becoming our deliverer. Another person – rare though he may be – really can pull us out of a pit, but for the life of him, he can’t set us free.” (Can you hear me screaming AMEN on this one!!!)
Oh my goodness, just when I think it can’t get any better she goes on to say on Page 95 – “At his best, man can make a mighty fine man, but he’s a useless god. Contrary to the serpent’s suggestion in the Garden, people simply can’t be divine. The higher the expectation we have for them, the further they’re going to fall.” (All I can say is PREACH IT SIESTA!)
Here’s the deal friends…you have to READ this book, specifically this Chapter, to fully grasp the nuggets of wisdom that are on these pages. I will close you out with my last highlighter moment and that is the last paragraph of this chapter.
Page 110 – “Maybe you’re beginning to see that this person wasn’t being heartless and hateful. Just human. Didn’t have what it took. Maybe you can allow God to bring you to the place to forgive that person for failing to be Jesus for you. Or maybe you should fire someone who still insists on trying. Maybe you – like me – can now forgive yourself for accidentally setting someone up for failure. Maybe that someone was you. And maybe both of us could just let Jesus be Jesus.” (There is nothing to be said at the end of that statement…)
Now, let’s dig in and start to tear into the Personal Application Questions and see what we can come up with:
1) By now, you’ve probably identified one or more pits you have been in. How have you been trying to “deal” with them up until now?
– Climbing out all by myself (or trying to)
– Self help books (I’ll just buy another one)
– In the past I tried to rescue myself, I finally learned I can’t get out without God.
2) What practical steps can you take to address the limitations of your friends, family members, professional counselor, minister, and support group?
– not expecting them to fix it, carry me, or to shoulder the burden that God has asked me to carry.
– I try to remember that people are people.
– be there for them, but ultimately give it over to God.
3) Are you angry with someone in your life whom you have felt or feel has let you down? What role can forgiveness play in helping you to heal the hurt feelings?
– Yes! It is 100% the key for me to be able to move on and heal.
– I don’t know if I am – I am still confused.
– Not sure
– You have to keep on realizing that people are human.
– One had to walk away and seek healing from someone that was actually there in the place that we were meeting for the Live! group. (Go God!)
4) What does Philippians 1:6 and 2 Corinthians 1:10 tell us about God’s faithfulness? Which words in these verses mean the most to you personally, and why?
– faithful to complete it
– continue to deliver
– never going to give up on me, he’ll be there always
– He HAS (past tense, it has alrady happened) delivered us.
5) Is there someone in your life you’ve been attempting to rescue? If so, how do you think you should relate to his or her problem from now on?
– went back to Beth’s 5 points
– even when you try
– yes, I can pray, offer advice, encourage, send them to Jesus, and be there for them, but I can’t fix it for them.
Pulling myself out of the pit,
Oh that is so good!! Why is it so easy to put faith in man first?, Then God? Man will always fail us, God is alway there for us. . .Yeah, letting God be God hmmm… Great post!!
This was another good chapter!
1 – I have been better about turning my troubles over to God, but I still fall into trying to crawl out on my own sometimes, or I deny that I’m in a pit.
2 – I’m not really sure, but just reading this chapter and realizing that they are only human, like me will help.
3 – Forgivenenss is so important. My problem is saying and thinking I forgive but when something happens again, I tend to replay the old hurt again.
4 – I love the Philippians verse – “He who began a good work in you will see it to completion” What a great promise and it tells me he is still working. When it is complete, I’ll be going to my heavenly home!
5 – no one right now, although I’ve been there before.
You are doing awesome with this study my friend.
I loves what she says in this chapter. I have treid soooo many times to make someone my God. I always ended up disappointed. Finally, God moved me away from my “gods” from Chattanooga to where I live now. In my Christian walk, I prayed to expereince Christ for myself, but how could I when I wouldn’t go to him but to his servent. I think Max Lucado once said that this was like reading a trvel brochure without going on the trip. I want to go on the trip. : )
Another great post.
Happy Valentine’s Day sweet friend!
Hugs!
Kat
This book is awesome, I am amazed at how many other issues have been raised as I’ve been reading it. Already I’m wondering what book we will do after this…OK focus..alright Chapter 5 I’m back..
1) By now, you’ve probably identified one or more pits you have been in. How have you been trying to “deal” with them up until now?
Well some I hadn’t even recognised as a pit, and that revelation in itself has been an eye opener. Making myself a home in my pit..time to pack up and leave
2) What practical steps can you take to address the limitations of your friends, family members, professional counselor, minister, and support group?
The way Beth spoke on this issue of family members (man she is so real) was refreshing and enlightening, people are just people, in their own pis with their own stuff going on. grace! Lots of prayer, extend mercy.
3) Are you angry with someone in your life whom you have felt or feel has let you down? What role can forgiveness play in helping you to heal the hurt feelings?
No, not really, but I did recognise how I have felt responsible for other pit dwellers and to keep on grabbing them from their pits and that’s been tougher. It was releasing to realise that although we can pull from the pit, we can’t set them free – only God.
4) What does Philippians 1:6 and 2 Corinthians 1:10 tell us about God’s faithfulness? Which words in these verses mean the most to you personally, and why?
He who began a good work WILL complete it. God is on the case, he is faithful and WILL do it!
5) Is there someone in your life you’ve been attempting to rescue? If so, how do you think you should relate to his or her problem from now on?
Well it’s interesting but the Lord put his finger on this rescuing issue a couple of years ago, and I had to let go – He told me to back off, pray when led, but to stop being that person’s rescuer but let him do his work. Wow. It has helped me in relating to others much more with grace (hey especially when I see the grace I have been shown myself!) with acceptance and prayer.
YOu know, Karen has highly recommended this book to me. I wish I had started when you guys did. Anyway, Its on my birthday list so I will get it when I have some spare cash.
Loving these posts. Your enthusiasm is infectious!
Aaaaahhhh … I haven’t finished the chapter yet ! I will come back and write my answers … hopefully tomorrow or Monday !! I’d better read chapter 6 while I’m at it !!
I’m back ~~
1. I try to do a lot on my own. Books, friends advice, struggling to “climb” out !! Until finally realizing my efforts are futile ~ only God can get me out of my pits !
2. Remembering that people are like me … only people ! Not God ! Not able to get me out of my pit, nor vice versa !
3. No.
4. The certainty of both of the verses. There’s no “he might” or “maybe” … but HE WILL
5. I’m not sure about this one. It’s hard to tell with my personality. I can sure relate and have struggled with this in the past but I think it’s a fine line and right now, I don’t think I’ve crossed from supporting to rescuing … but it’s good to have read this chapter and have this in my corners of my mind to remember !!!
OK … now, to get straight into reading the next chapter !! Since it’s Monday here, I’ve only got a couple days til it’s Wednesday again !!!! 😀