In a Pit on a Snowy Day

When I was attending Grace College of Divinity (now Manna University), one of classes I took before graduating had me read a book called "In a Pit With a Lion On a Snowy Day, and as I read it I was thinking how did I not remember this story. So, I looked it up and sure enough, there he was. 

This was not the only time Benaiah was mentioned, but it was a pivitol moment in this man's life, when all others turned and ran; Benaiah ran after it and jumped into the pit with it. He faced his fears and became a warrior in David's army. 

I am not sure I would have been able to do what he did on that day, but I know that I have great challenges today. For me those moments of fear was moving to North Carolina, towing a trailer of my belongings behind (which is never done before), to live in a place I'd never visited (outside of a 3 day conference at the church there) and only knew a few people. Seven years later, I had to do it again, but moved back to SWFL, but this time alone (my mom has traveled with me before). On my way home, in the back roads of South Carolina, near South of the Border, my truck blew a brand new tire. I had to call a tow, and they forgot to mention to the driver that I had a trailer in tow. I had to leave all my belongings in that trailer on the side of the road alone, to go get a new tire put on my truck, and then drive back hoping my trailer was there still and rehook the trailer up on my own. Talk about having fears. In that moment of having to come back home and feeling like I'd failed, was a moment God had planned. I moved home February 1, 2020, the year Covid shut things down and September 1, 2020 my dad passed away. God's plan!!! 

Facing Your Lions: Lessons from In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

Have you ever faced something that terrified you—but deep down, you knew it was an opportunity from God?

That’s the heartbeat of Mark Batterson’s inspiring book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

Based on one of the most overlooked verses in Scripture, 2 Samuel 23:20, Batterson takes us into the life of a man named Benaiah, one of King David’s mighty warriors. The verse says:

> “Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds, struck down two heroes of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.”

— 2 Samuel 23:20 (ESV)

Most people would run away from a lion. Benaiah ran toward it.

Chasing the Lion

Batterson’s message is simple yet life-changing: what if the very thing you fear the most is actually the opportunity God is using to shape your destiny?

Instead of avoiding challenges, lion chasers confront them. Instead of retreating in fear, they step forward in faith. Batterson reminds us that divine opportunities often come disguised as scary obstacles.

When Benaiah faced the lion, he could have chosen comfort over courage. But that one bold act changed his life. Later, King David appointed him as captain of his bodyguard—and eventually, he became commander of Israel’s army under Solomon.

Courage, faith, and obedience in the moment opened doors for his future.

Snowy Day Faith

The book reminds us that life’s “snowy days” — those cold, difficult, and uncertain seasons — often accompany the biggest breakthroughs. The conditions aren’t perfect, the risks are high, and yet that’s when faith matters most.

Batterson writes, “Faith is taking the first step before God reveals the second.”

That’s what Benaiah did. He didn’t wait for the weather to clear or the lion to leave. He jumped into the pit.

Your Pit, Your Lion

Maybe your “lion” isn’t literal—it could be fear, doubt, insecurity, or a calling that feels too big for you. Maybe it’s a career decision, a strained relationship, or a God-sized dream you’ve buried under excuses.

The question isn’t whether the lion is dangerous—it’s whether you trust the God who called you to face it.

God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

If He’s leading you into a pit, He’s already gone before you.

Faith That Changes the Future

Batterson challenges readers to reframe fear. Instead of asking, “What if I fail?” he urges us to ask, “What if I miss out on what God wants to do?”

Lions represent divine opportunities wrapped in difficulty. And every time you step forward in faith, God uses that act of courage to prepare you for greater influence and purpose.

Reflection Questions

1. What “lion” in your life have you been running from instead of facing with faith?

2. How might God be using your current challenges to prepare you for something greater?

3. What step of obedience or courage do you need to take today—even if the conditions aren’t perfect?

A Closing Prayer

> Lord, help me to see my fears not as obstacles but as opportunities for faith.

Give me the courage of Benaiah—to step into the pit, even on a snowy day, trusting that You are in control.

Strengthen my heart to chase the lions You’ve placed in front of me, knowing that You turn every battle into a testimony.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Final Thoughts

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day isn’t just about one man’s bravery—it’s about developing a mindset of faith. It’s about refusing to let fear dictate your future and daring to trust that God is bigger than the lions you face.

So the next time fear growls, remember Benaiah.

Remember that courage doesn’t wait for ideal conditions.

And remember that sometimes, the pit you fall into becomes the place where your purpose is revealed.