Finding God in the "The Pit" of Life - Dr. John Ortberg

About this sermon

What do you do when you find yourself in the pit? In this reflection on Psalm 30, John Ortberg explores one of the Bible's most powerful metaphors for suffering: the pit, the depths, the darkness, Sheol. Sometimes the pit is grief. Sometimes it's depression, failure, anxiety, physical pain, a broken relationship, a dream that has died, or something completely beyond our control. And sometimes the night lasts much longer than we ever imagined. John shares personally about a season when the pain didn't go away the next day...or the next. One thought became especially important: It will not always be this way. That doesn't mean circumstances will immediately improve. It doesn't even mean things can't get worse. It means that even in the darkness, God can still be found. Psalm 30 says, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” We don't know how long the night will last. But the night doesn't get the last word. In this episode: Psalm 30 and the biblical image of "the pit" What to do when suffering overwhelms you Why "joy comes in the morning" isn't a formula or timeline Finding God in darkness Psalm 139 and finding God in Sheol How to keep going when circumstances don't improve Why we can't lift ourselves out of every pit Mourning and dancing existing together Hope when the night feels endless Scriptures: Psalm 30 • Psalm 139:8 • Genesis 37 • Jeremiah 38 • Daniel 6 • Revelation 21:4 #Psalm30 #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Suffering #Hope #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Grief 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 What to Do When You're in the Pit 00:29 What Does "the Pit" Mean? 00:58 Psalm 30 Begins 01:29 Weeping May Last for the Night 01:56 When God Feels Hidden 02:20 Bargaining With God 03:10 You Turned My Wailing Into Dancing 03:37 This Isn't a Formula or Timeline 04:04 The Biblical Image of the Pit 04:44 When Pain Takes Over Everything 05:35 When All You Can Do Is Hurt 05:46 How Long Does the Night Last? 06:06 It Will Not Always Be This Way 06:30 What If Things Get Worse? 06:52 Finding God in the Darkness 07:19 If I Make My Bed in Sheol 07:46 Remember You're Not the Only One 08:25 God Has Met Suffering People Before 08:44 Finding Meaning in the Pit 09:00 When You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going 09:22 You Can't Lift Yourself Out of the Pit 10:07 Laughter Comes Again 10:36 Mourning Becomes Dancing 10:54 God Is Lord Even Over the Pit 11:14 Don't You Give Up