Pitfalls

According to the dictionary, a pitfall is a pit flimsily covered or camouflaged and used to capture and hold animals or men; a trap or snare (Websters dictionary). That is what comes to mind when pitfall is mentioned to most people. The second definition given is somewhat more intriguing, “a hidden or not easily recognized danger or difficulty”. It is not unusual to associate danger with pitfall. Most people work hard to avoid danger, so you might think that pitfalls aren’t a problem. Then you look at the word “difficulty”. Difficulty seems to be something that is not anticipated-not easily recognized. This makes them unavoidable. Sometimes falling into these hidden difficulties does lead into the first definition of being captured and held in the pitfall.

Hidden difficulties cannot be avoided. Focusing on the difficulty will allow you to remain there. Switching focus from the pitfall to God and His word can help get out of the pitfall faster. Consider the following verses:

“For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭36‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭97‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God gives us life and shines his light on us when our hearts are right, and we focus on Him. We can survive the pitfalls, or we can thrive by staying focusing on God and letting Him light our path!