You Can Climb Out of the Pit and Start Over

How I ache for you, dear friend. Very sorry it’s been such an awful time.

Of course, in our worst moments, we (me and thee and tons of others) revert to past horrific scenes and feel our life is pre-programmed for failure. When we are in this snit, we get mad and throw ourselves a pity party.

I know all about pity parties—too well—as I’ve invited myself to many pity parties and marinated in their special dark dumpster for days and weeks, soaking in poor-me’s and bad me’s. For entertainment, I played old tapes of “awful things that happened to poor Jim and how poor Jim can’t ever escape the clutches of his past.”

So, allow yourself another day or week or so to tread water in your smelly dumpster. As you marinate in your own sorrow (as I have done so many times), I suggest setting a “Move Out Day,” a day to climb out of the pit and move on with your life—a specific time to start healing the hurts, resuming your “to-do” list, and rebuilding your life.

Yes, your childhood and adulthood wounds will always be sad memories for you. I don’t think “closure” ever happens—like it’s falsely portrayed in the movies. You just have to determine to move ahead, despite the stinking crap of the past and the pressures of the moment.

Some Bible statements worth thinking about

“ … For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“ … I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord, “because you are called an outcast, … for whom no one cares.” Jeremiah 30:17

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” Isaiah 41:10

“I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt … Again you will take up your tambourines and go out and dance with the joyful.” Jeremiah 31:4

Some quotes on the value of humor

“Let laughter reign when it comes. It is oil for the engines that rise to challenges and work miracles.” Donald E. Demaray

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

On the journey with you,

Jim