In my book, “Six More Chances: Success in the Midst of Failure,” I recount the parable of an old donkey that fell into a farmer’s abandoned well. For hours, the donkey cried piteously from its hopeless position, looking upward for a savior. After a while, the farmer heard the animal’s desperate cries. He sympathized with the donkey. But when he carefully assessed the situation, he felt that the stuck animal was quite old and the well needed to be covered up anyway; so it just wasn’t worth the trouble trying to retrieve the donkey.
Enlisting the help of his neighbors, they began to haul dirt to bury the old donkey in the well and put it out of its misery. Realizing what was happening, the donkey at first cried and wailed bitterly. But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling, and the dirt hit its back, a thought struck the donkey. It suddenly dawned on it that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on its back, it should simply shake it off and step up! It wasn’t long before the old donkey, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well, leaving us important lessons about overcoming adversity in our own lives.
Are you stuck in a hole? Perhaps, a deep hole of failure, debt, abandonment, or loneliness? Are you flat on your face—from a false step or a misstep? Are your dreams and new year resolutions already mired in the pits? Instead of feeling sorry for yourself or dwelling on what got you there, quickly shake off the dirt, step on it and get out.
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt—especially when you’re down. The key to getting out of the hole is a determination to not let it bury you, but to shake off the dirt and take a step up. You may be knocked down, but not knocked out. God will give you the strength. Cry out to Him; He will transform your troubles and setbacks into stepping stones:
“The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time” (Psalm 34:17-19; NLT). Still worried about how to get out of your well? Courage! It will be well, even in the well!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim
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SAMUEL KORANTENG-PIPIM,PH.D. , is a US-based Ghanaian author, inspirational speaker, leadership trainer, and an advocate for youth empowerment. He was trained in engineering and systematic theology, and has authored more than twenty books. They include his bestselling works Hope Through the Dark, Six More Chances, Healed Wounds but Ugly Scars, and Patience in the Midst of Trials and Afflictions. Dr. Pipim currently directs two Centers for Leadership Development known as EAGLES (Empowerment & Advisory Group for Leadership, Excellence, & Service) and ANANSE (African Network & Advisory for Needed Services & Excellence). www.EAGLESonline.org. He also serves as a special consultant on Bible projects for Remnant Publications. 