Deep pit or dark tunnel?
A new friend recently dropped a fascinating perspective into my curious mind. Many times, I use the analogy of getting stuck in the pit when describing someone suffering in a dark place of despair. The terminology she used to explain where she felt she sat, was that compared to being in a tunnel.
The pit represents a place where someone lands when the heaviness of one’s burdens becomes crippling. The weight is so destructive that the person carrying it gets trapped with no energy or strength to even stand up! Sometimes they just lie there (hopefully at least in a bed). The person stuck in despair, grief, trauma, etc. is the only one who can get themselves out of the pit but loved ones can assist if the suffering one accepts. The caring friend cannot yell from the top of the pit, instructions on how to get out. She will need to go down into the pit, sit beside or even lay beside the injured soul, taking on a loving and compassionate demeanor. The person stuck must give invitation, without permission a friend, no matter how hard they try, is unable to assist and may not even be welcome in the pit.
The one who is stuck needs to feel seen. Until they feel that it’s possible that they do matter, their inner strength feels paralyzed, and the person stuck can’t find the flame of courage to get out of bed. This spark can come from people who share the love of Christ!
The new visual of the tunnel, given to me in conversation, expanded my understanding of the dark place. Is it possible that some land in a pit and others move through a tunnel?
Let me attempt to define my new knowing. The person in the tunnel is struggling but not stuck. The person is in movement, but it feels as if that person is walking through mud, weighted down with limited vision to find a light to guide the path of moving forward.
This heaviness is exhausting, draining all energy. If feels as if it’s possible that one might end up in the pit and yet they know enough about life that they are doing everything they know possible to keep searching for the next glimmer in the tunnel.
Perhaps the person in the pit does not know God or at least they aren’t yet aware of personally a loving, powerful Creator Father that loves every one of his children without exception, including the unseen one in bondage on the dirt floor. The empathic friend can assist and bring a key of compassion to help unlock the chains of false beliefs so that the burdened one can begin moving again.
Ultimately God is the great Provider who will bring the one in despair up into the daylight.
Perhaps the person in the tunnel knows God. They know of his unlimited power, his miraculous encounters and his promise of hope!, that He tells us we are never alone, and if it’s not good, God’s not done. The person in the tunnel understands how to trust in that the help of their loving Father, so that they are able to persevere and fight through the darkness. Faithful people and Holy interactions are powerful and necessary for the child of God in the tunnel who is working so impressively hard to fulfill God’s will. Although they may know where their help comes, trudging through this tunnel in which they sit for this season can be excruciating and daunting.
The tunnel concept is a great nugget of wisdom! I am thrilled to place it in my knowledge tool chest! During this time in our culture, when pain seems to be impacting so many people that I love, including myself, mercy, grace and love are needed more than even.
Wisdom and knowledge can lead us to the answers of helping others.
We can be connectors, bridge builders to the Great Force of Ultimate Love!
Jesus told us just that when He dwelt among us humans.
He showed us the way, the truth, and the light!😉
And the life too!
Stay Blessed!
Lisa