By Cindy Phillips
As I write this post, I am warming myself by the fire, preparing to dig out from over a foot of snow. By now, you know I tend to look for Spiritual lessons in earthly situations.
There are seasons in life when it feels like we’re buried. Buried under mistakes we regret. Buried under grief, exhaustion, doubt, or circumstances we didn’t choose. We wake up and think, How did I get here? And even more honestly, How do I get out?
The Bible never pretends that God’s people won’t end up buried sometimes. In fact, Scripture is full of people who had to “dig out” before they could move forward.
Digging out is often hard work. We live in a world that loves quick fixes. God’s way requires us to do some work. Psalm 40:2 says, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.” Notice something important: David doesn’t say he teleported out of the pit. He was lifted. That implies time, trust, and surrender. Digging out doesn’t mean we save ourselves, it means we keep showing up, doing what we know to do, while God does the heavy lifting.
Sometimes we’re buried because of our own choices; pride, unforgiveness, disobedience, or running from God instead of toward Him. The good news of the Gospel is not that we never mess up, but that God meets us even there. 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession is like the first shovel of snow being moved. It’s not glamorous, but it’s freeing.
Digging out changes us. When God brings us out, we don’t come out the same. We come out humbler, kinder and more aware of our need for grace. Coming out from under our situation teaches us compassion for others who are still buried. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that God comforts us so that we can comfort others. Your digging-out season may one day become someone else’s survival guide.
Keep digging, even when it’s hard. If all you can do today is pray one honest prayer, that counts. If all you can do is resist giving up, that counts. God sees every small movement toward Him. Isaiah 43:2 promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Notice it doesn’t read “if you pass through”, but when. And notice it’s not “around the waters”, but through them.
So keep digging. Keep trusting. Keep calling on God, even with weak hands and a tired heart. The same God who formed you from dust knows exactly how to bring you out of your situation.
And He’s not done with you yet.