The Pits

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

"He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown" (Psalms 7:15-16).

Such can be said of most sins, and drugs are no different. The sinner digs his own pit, whipped into action by the slave master, only to find himself trapped by the work of his own hands. Deep pits are easy to fall into but very difficult to get back out of.

I remember one of my favorite readings:

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

by Portia Nelson

Chapter One

I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost . . . I am hopeless. It isn’t my fault. It takes me forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place. But, it is not my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter Three

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in . . . it is a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter Four

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter Five

I walk down another street.

It seems to me you are living Chapter Two. You knew the drug pit was there, but you lied to yourself and pretended that it wasn't real. You were still lying when you said "I'll try not to use marijuana." I wonder how long it will be before you tell yourself the truth: you're in a trap that will eventually kill you unless you get out. So many are offering their hands to help you out, but still, you refuse to see the hole you are in.

I'm praying for your escape.