Have you ever felt like life dropped you into a hole you couldn’t climb out of? Maybe you didn’t see it coming. You were just walking along, trying your best, when suddenly, the ground gave way. The pit of discouragement, despair, sin, or suffering has a way of catching us off guard. And once we’re there, the walls feel steep, the bottom feels dark, and hope feels far away.
But here’s the good news, friend: we serve a God who rescues. He doesn’t just shout encouragement from above; He climbs down, reaches into the muck, and lifts us out with His strong arms. That’s not just poetic imagery—it’s the real-life promise of Scripture.
What the “Pit” Looks Like
David, the shepherd boy turned king, knew all about pits—both literal and figurative. He wrote,
“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.” Psalm 40:2 (NKJV)
David had been chased, slandered, betrayed, and trapped. He also knew the pit of his own sin, when guilt and shame pressed hard on his chest. The Hebrew word for “pit” in this verse points to destruction, corruption, or the grave. It’s not a shallow inconvenience—it’s life at its lowest.
And isn’t that how it feels when we’re there? The pit can look different for each of us. For some, it’s depression or anxiety that whispers, “You’ll never get out.” For others, it’s addiction that tightens its grip. Sometimes the pit is a season of grief, when the loss is so heavy it knocks the breath out of you.
The pit doesn’t always come from our own choices. Joseph was thrown into one by jealous brothers. Jeremiah was lowered into one by leaders who didn’t like his message. Sometimes, life pushes us down. But whether the pit is dug by our own sin or someone else’s cruelty, God’s hand is not too short to save.
Biblical Stories of Rescue
One of the reasons I love the Bible is because it’s honest. It doesn’t hide the pits people fell into—it tells us the raw, unfiltered stories of men and women who found themselves in desperate places.
Joseph’s Cistern
“They took him and threw him into a cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.” Genesis 37:24 (ESV)
Joseph’s own family betrayed him. One moment he was wearing his special robe, and the next he was staring at dirt walls and an empty sky. That pit could have been his end. But God was already weaving redemption. What looked like a place of abandonment was actually the beginning of Joseph’s journey to save nations.
Jeremiah’s Muddy Prison
“So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern… and he sank in the mire.” Jeremiah 38:6 (NKJV)
The prophet obeyed God, and it landed him knee-deep in sludge. He wasn’t there because he sinned—he was there because he stood for truth. Even so, God raised up an unlikely ally, Ebed-Melech, who petitioned the king to rescue Jeremiah. The same God who appointed Jeremiah before he was born made sure his pit wasn’t his grave.
Daniel in the Lion’s Den
While it wasn’t technically a pit of mud, Daniel’s den of lions was a pit of certain death. Yet when morning came, Daniel emerged untouched. Why? Because the God who shut the mouths of lions is the same God who pulls us out of hopeless places.
Over and over, we see this pattern: the pit is real, the despair is deep, but God’s rescue is sure.
How God Reached Into My Despair
It’s easy to believe the lie that no one can reach you. You feel forgotten, unseen, and beyond help.
That’s how I felt on the night of my 21st birthday (January 31, 1997). It was a Friday night, and I was IN the pit. I was spiraling in depression and anxiety after having had a miscarriage. I had left an unhealthy relationship, developed disordered eating, and was having panic attacks. I was working two jobs and going to school full time, so I’d go days on end without sleep. I lived on Mountain Dew, chaining and hotboxing cigarettes, and popping caffeine pills. My thighs were a constant mass of bruises from pinching them to stay awake when I drove. And when I actually had a moment to breathe, I was drinking to numb what nerves I had left. I was exhausted to the point of tears. I’d taken that night off to party for my birthday, and after having several drinks, I laid on the couch in tears and told God, “if you don’t change my life by April 1st, I will end it. I’m tired of playing the fool.”
“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” Isaiah 59:1 (NIV)
That verse paints a picture of God the Father and Jesus bending down together, arm stretched long, ear tuned close. He doesn’t sit distant on a throne, unwilling to get dirty. He steps into our reality, even when it’s messy.
And that is what Jesus did for me. He bent His ear toward me and took that ultimatum as His personal invitation to step into my life and radically change it.
Just a few short weeks later, on March 9, 1997, I invited Jesus into my life and asked Him to save me. It would be a few more months, and a few hiccups along the way, before I truly understood what it meant to allow Him to be my Lord (there’s a difference between asking for a life preserver when you’re drowning and allowing someone else to captain the vessel).
If You’ve Never Asked Jesus to Rescue You
Maybe as you’ve been reading, something has stirred in your heart. You recognize the pit—you’ve felt its weight. But the idea of being rescued by Jesus feels brand new. Can I tell you something? This is the best part. Rescue isn’t just a story from David or Joseph or Jeremiah or me—it’s for you, right here, right now.
Jesus came for this very reason: to pull us out of the pit of sin and give us new life. He doesn’t just offer a hand up; He offers a whole new beginning.
Here’s how you can take that step:
1. Admit You’re in the Pit
Every rescue starts with admitting we need help. Romans tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). That includes me, and it includes you. We can’t climb out on our own, but we don’t have to.
2. Believe Jesus is the Rescuer
Jesus went to the cross for your sin, and mine, so that we could be forgiven and free. Three days later, He rose from the dead, proving the pit of death has no power over Him. “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 (NLT)
3. Call Out to Him
Rescue comes when we cry out. Scripture says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 (ESV). You don’t have to have fancy words—just an honest heart. Something as simple as:
“Jesus, I know I can’t save myself. I believe You died and rose again for me. Please forgive my sin, rescue me, and give me new life. I trust You as my Savior and Lord.”
4. Walk in New Life
When you ask Jesus to rescue you, He pulls you out and sets your feet on the Rock. You are forgiven, loved, and free. This is the beginning of a lifelong journey of walking with Him, learning from Him, and sharing His love with others.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
Mmmmh. That’s one of my favorite verses. The old me? That’s not who I am anymore. She’s gone. That’s so good.
Have a friend that could use those steps, too? Print this If You’ve Never Asked Jesus to Rescue You guide and share it with them.
The Pits Can’t Hold Us
If you prayed that prayer and meant it, welcome to God’s family. You’re no longer stuck in the pit—you are His, and nothing can separate you from His love.
Jesus didn’t avoid the pits of humanity when He walked the earth in the flesh—He entered them. He touched lepers, welcomed sinners, and wept at gravesides. And then He went to the cross, into the pit of death itself, and came out victorious.
And now, because He lives, no pit can hold us either.
Because He doesn’t avoid the pits of humanity now either. He will send His spirit right into your depth of despair, just like He did mine.
There were things from my pit that God delivered me from immediately. I was able to quit smoking, drinking, and sleeping around immediately. I was also supernaturally delivered from the depression and suicidal ideation. I cannot explain it other than to say it was a miracle because I never had another suicidal ideation from that day forward. I continued to have panic attacks for several years, and it took a bit to overcome the disordered eating.
Sometimes the mud from the pit sticks a little longer than we want it to.
Sometimes, God pulls us out quickly, like Peter sinking into the waves and immediately being grabbed by Jesus’ hand. Other times, the rescue takes longer, like Joseph waiting years before he saw the purpose behind his pit. Either way, His rescue is certain.
And let’s be honest: sometimes the pit teaches us things the palace never could. In the pit, we discover God’s presence is enough. In the pit, we find our faith muscles growing stronger. In the pit, we learn to cry out, and we discover His faithfulness firsthand.
Living as Rescued
Freedom isn’t just climbing out of the pit—it’s learning to walk like someone who has been set free. Jesus said,
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (ESV)
Being free indeed means we don’t have to keep peeking back over our shoulder, wondering if the pit will suck us in again. It doesn’t mean life will always be easy, but it does mean the chains are broken.
Living as rescued looks like choosing joy when the enemy whispers lies. It looks like forgiving those who pushed us down, not because they deserve it, but because Christ forgave us. It looks like testifying, “Yes, I was in a pit, but look at what my God has done!”
I can look back on my life before I knew Jesus and see the pit for what it was. I tried to stay busy enough that I didn’t have enough time to think, because when I did have time to think, the weight of my pregnancy loss was more than I could bear. But it wasn’t until I finally said, “God, change my life,” that I felt Him lift me. He didn’t just dust me off—He placed my feet on solid ground.
And friend, He’ll do the same for you. Because You Are Who God Says You Are!
There are some important Next Steps After Asking Jesus to Rescue You!
Next Steps After Asking Jesus to Rescue You
If you’ve just asked Jesus to be your Savior, this is the very beginning of the most important journey of your life. Here are some next steps to help you grow in your new relationship with Him:
1. Talk to God Every Day
Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. Just talk to Him like you would a friend. Share your joys, your struggles, your questions. He delights in hearing from you.
2. Read the Bible
The Bible is God’s Word, His love letter to you. Start with the Gospel of John—it’s a beautiful introduction to who Jesus is and what He has done. Even a few verses a day will help you get to know Him more.
3. Find a Church Family
We aren’t meant to do this journey alone. Look for a local church that teaches from the Bible and points people to Jesus. A church family will encourage you, pray for you, and help you grow.
4. Share Your Story (more on this below)
Tell someone about the decision you’ve made. Maybe it’s a family member, a friend, or someone you trust. Sharing your story strengthens your faith and can encourage others to take their own step toward Jesus.
5. Take the Next Step of Baptism
Baptism is a public way of saying, “Jesus rescued me, and I belong to Him now.” Talk to your church about what baptism means and when you can take that step.
6. Keep Growing
Faith is a journey, not a one-time event. Keep learning, keep praying, keep worshiping. And remember, when you stumble (we all do), run back to Jesus. His grace is enough.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)
These steps are important to help you grow and develop in your faith. Here’s a Next Steps After Asking Jesus to Rescue You that you can tuck into your Bible or put on your mirror to help you know what to do. You can also share this with friends that ask Jesus to rescue them after you share your story.
Sharing Your Story
The beauty of being rescued is that it’s never just for us. When we come out of the pit, we get to point others toward the same Savior who pulled us out. Peter reminds us,
“Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)
Your story might not feel dramatic. Maybe your pit wasn’t public or visible. But your testimony of God’s faithfulness could be the lifeline someone else needs. Don’t be afraid to tell it.
Joseph’s story encouraged his brothers later when they were drowning in guilt. Jeremiah’s survival showed Israel that God’s word stands. Your story can do the same in your family, your church, your community.
Breaking Free from Shame with God’s Truth can take time, but when we speak openly about how God delivered us, we help tear down shame. We remind others they aren’t alone. When we redefine strength and find Courage in Vulnerability we magnify the Rescuer, not the pit.
Not too long ago, I was scheduled to preach at our campus in the city. My sermon was on forgiveness, and I planned to share part of my own personal journey. During worship, the enemy whispered in my ear, “Don’t share that part of your story. These people don’t know you; they don’t need to hear that.” As the enemy was whispering in my ear, my friend William, the assistant campus pastor at that location, came and put his arm around my shoulder and said, “I want you to know, this is a word from the Lord for this body today…” Check it out.
Hope for Today
Maybe today you feel like you’re still at the bottom. Can I whisper this truth over you? You are not forgotten. The God who counts every tear also writes every rescue story. Your pit is not the end of your story—it’s the setup for God’s glory.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19 (NKJV)
Hold on, friend. Deliverance may not come the way you expect, but it will come. And when it does, you’ll know without a doubt: only God could have done this.
Questions to Pray Over
- Where in your life do you feel stuck in a pit right now?
- How have you seen God’s rescue hand in past seasons?
- Who might need to hear your rescue story today?
- Can sharing your story lead to Finding God’s Purpose for Your Life?
Prayer
“Lord, thank You that no pit is too deep for Your arm to reach. Thank You that even when I feel forgotten, You see me, hear me, and come for me. Remind me daily that I am rescued, not because of my strength, but because of Your great love. Help me to live as someone free indeed, and give me courage to share my story so others may find hope in You. In Jesus name Amen.”
