Ever face a situation that seems like the end of the world? There is no hope. There is no answer. Perhaps you have been diagnosed with cancer or some other horrible disease. Or you have lost a loved one and you don’t know how you can survive. Or you have lost your job (or ministry) and can’t see a future. Life plays hardball with us sometimes. As a Christian, you may wonder why God has allowed these things to happen to you or to your family. You begin to doubt you will get through this. Why does God seem so silent? Why doesn’t He do something to pull me out of the pit?
In Max Lucado’s encouraging book, “You’ll Get Through This”, he tells the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) who is placed into the pit and sold down the river (down into Egypt). He chronicles the challenges in Joseph’s life (losing his family, losing his identity, stripped of all his possessions, sold into slavery, put into prison, etc). Lucado draws parallels to our own lives. He tells us our own stories “from the pit.” He discusses loss of faith or hope and gives us insights into what God is up to.
This is a realistic book. Lucado gives many examples of how life is not easy, and it is often painful. Yet he asserts that no matter what you face, you will get through it. It won’t be without pain and it may be messy. But God will use this mess for good. Sometimes we cannot see any good reason for our suffering and circumstances. But Joseph’s story gives us hope for getting through it, whatever “it” is that forms your pit.
Divorce, illness, losses, disasters, tragedies, accidents, and a host of other life events cause us to “go down into the pit”. This book shows how God in Jesus Christ is with us all along the way. What has happened to us God uses for good. Using the power of the Scriptures, you will find hope and solace in the renewal of your faith. You will find many Biblical passages to anchor your trust in God. In Hebrews 13:5, God promises “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you”. David prayed in Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in you”.
You will get through this because God has not abandoned you and His son, Jesus, loves you and He himself suffered and came through the pit. God will use this mess for good.
(One Minute, from Rev. Ron Rehrer, Counselor for Church Workers, ph: 949.433.5182; email: ron@ronrehrer.com)