Thepits~by Debbie Christopher
While on a recent flight, I was working through the crossword puzzle in the airline magazine (NYT#0911). I was doing quite well untill I came across the clue: “A truly unpleasant situation”. With the letter clues available, I was completely stumped…no words that I was familiar with fit at all.
I wrote the clue in my little notebook to research on my dictionary app when I landed and had Wi-Fi access. But, curiosity got the best of me, and I peeked at the answer page…
What?!? Initially I thought I HAD discovered a new word...then, I 'saw it' and said, “Duh!” out loud.
Sidenote: Aren't the clues suppose to tell you if it is a two word answer?
I imagine you’re laughing at me right now…but that’s okay. Laughing at me will be part of the learning experience.
The reason this seemingly 'unknown’ word caught my eye is because I thought it would be a new word to describe the bumpy life circumstances Sharon and I regularly discuss in our ‘Bumps are Okay’ blogs.
Although this two-word phrase is not new, let’s discuss it anyway—-as a reminder as to how we should respond to the bumps we regularly face in life.
We often find ourselves in a truly unpleasant situation, don’t we? When we find ourselves in ‘the pits’, we usually end up responding like another clue and answer in the same crossword puzzle—grumpy mood=sour mood.
Here's a quick summary of reminders to help you (and me!) NOT to be grumpy during those bumpy times.
Humbly recognize your dependence on your caring Father...1 Peter 5:6-7
Trust God that your unpleasant situation is part of His plan and purpose for your life... Proverbs 3:5-6
Take a deep breath and "respond with 'Okay, God' rather than 'Whoa, God' "---which is my favorite quote from Core:Biblical Principles for when Life Gets Bumpy* (By Sharon Czerwien).
Remember this blog post and let out a hearty laugh...or a 'Debbie, Debbie, Debbie' head-shake....
And, most importantly...and probably the hardest...Be thankful for the lessons from #1 and #2 ...1Thessalonians 5:18
Let's stay out of Thepits....
~Debbie
*Sharon Czerwien and Kelly Dean, CORE:Biblical Principles for when Life gets Bumpy, Maitland, FL: Xulon Press. 2021