Jan
21

Dare I Help Someone Out Of A Pit?

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Do you know anyone who’s ever dreaded waking up to face their day? Have you?

Don’t get me wrong. I know you can have a great attitude.

But sometimes, life can feel a bit unglamorous…mundane, perhaps?

Especially if you’re a stay at home mom who does so much for everyone else that you have no time for yourself.  Maybe you’re super tired with little chance for meaningful friendships and connection with other adults.

Every once in a while you hit potholes, road bumps, or life throws you a curve ball.

Let’s say you’re able to get over all that stuff, and you move along doing your best…

When one day it feels like you’ve fallen into a deep pit.

And no one knows you’re in it – not even your spouse, closest friends or colleagues.

Have you ever thought…

“I know life isn’t supposed to be easy, but it’s supposed to be worth it.”

 

“Is there more to life than what I’m living?”

 

“I work hard to provide for my family, but I have no time to enjoy it!”

 

“I have a successful family life, but I feel hollow inside.”

 

“My spouse and my kids don’t even know me.”

 

“How much longer can I endure this daily monotony?”

 

“Maybe God has his reasons, but why am I in the dark for so long?”

 

“What if life is meaningless after all?”

Then you know how it feels when…

No answers come. No one helps you.

 

You struggle in the dark. For years.

What were once amazing dreams are now dying embers. In the meantime…

Bills Are Piling, Obligations Are Waiting, Broken Relationships Are Straining.

Now You Find Yourself Reacting To Your Circumstances – Rather Than Designing Them.

If you’ve ever been there, you know how hopeless it can feel.

 

Imagine someone reaching out – who’s been where you are – to give you a helping hand.

 

Someone who knows just what you need…

 

A listening ear. A word of encouragement. An experienced nudge in the right direction.

 

Now imagine being that person to someone that’s stuck in their own pit.

 

Most people struggle behind closed doors and haven’t been listened to in YEARS!

It’s not intuitively easy to help someone out of a pit.  The following advanced skills are needed, and I’m on a mission to help see these skills improved in our community – listening, encouraging and mentoring.  Please leave a comment if you’d like to see the same.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.livermore Rebecca Haley Livermore

    Jinnia, thanks for posting this. Being a source of encouragement to others is so needed. We all have times we fall into a pit of discouragement or depression and need others to pull us out.

    I'm personally learning to be more transparent about my own bouts with frustration and depression. I think the more honest we are with others, the more help we receive. This also helps other people feel freer to be honest about their own struggles so that they too can be pulled out of the pit.

  • Anonymous

    I know what it feels like to be in the pits because I’ve been there. Last year, I sunk to the lowest pit of my life when I faced unemployment. I felt like it was the end of the world. I really didn’t want to go on with life and I always wanted to sleep because I could dream away and not think about reality. I admit that I was an emotional wreck. Even though I went through the dark times, I thank God for putting me there because He really showed me who I was and that my identity is in Him. He stripped away my security blanket of my job. I found it difficult to tell others that I was going through difficult times and only chose the selective few to talk to and pray over me. I thank God that He provided the right people to talk to and to be supportive. :)

  • http://jinnialow.com Jinnia

    Rebecca, I'm so glad you shared that. And you're right, encouragement is so needed but a rare “commodity” indeed in my humble opinion…

    So kudos to you for learning to be more transparent about being frustrated and discouraged. It's not an easy thing to do! Not many people are equipped to help those who are being transparent. But it sounds like you do have people you can be honest with and receive help from, and in turn encourage them to be honest about their own struggles – which is wonderful!

  • http://jinnialow.com Jinnia

    Wow, thank you so much for sharing what it was like for you in the pits last year. I'm sorry you went through such a dark time…

    It seems like God showed you something really important to you during that time. It must not have been easy at all, I commend you for going through it with God and for thanking Him on the other end. Also very glad you had the right select people to support you, talk to and pray with. My heart hurts for those who hurt and have no one to talk to about their struggles.

    Last year was a very difficult year of unemployment. How are you doing now? Hope you're not in the pit anymore.

  • http://jinnialow.com Jinnia

    Rebecca, I'm so glad you shared that. And you're right, encouragement is so needed but a rare “commodity” indeed in my humble opinion…

    So kudos to you for learning to be more transparent about being frustrated and discouraged. It's not an easy thing to do! Not many people are equipped to help those who are being transparent. But it sounds like you do have people you can be honest with and receive help from, and in turn encourage them to be honest about their own struggles – which is wonderful!

  • http://jinnialow.com Jinnia

    Wow, thank you so much for sharing what it was like for you in the pits last year. I'm sorry you went through such a dark time…

    It seems like God showed you something really important to you during that time. It must not have been easy at all, I commend you for going through it with God and for thanking Him on the other end. Also very glad you had the right select people to support you, talk to and pray with. My heart hurts for those who hurt and have no one to talk to about their struggles.

    Last year was a very difficult year of unemployment. How are you doing now? Hope you're not in the pit anymore.