Driving down the mountain road, we descended into the thick fog blanket. Turning on the high beams would only increase our blindness. So, we inched our way slowly into the descending darkness. Though we knew the road well, the heavy fog was disorienting. We began to feel lost.
There are days when the circumstances of life seem overwhelming. When the thick fog of disillusionment seems to cement our feet, to suck us down. We are stuck.
Trapped.
So Moses told the people of Israel what the LORD had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. [italics mine] Exodus 6:9
Discouraged.
Disillusioned.
Hopeless.
The time in the desert is difficult. It’s easy to become disillusioned, to think we will always live in the desert, to believe there is nothing more than to slog through the knee-high sand, to claw our way up the next sand dune. No relief in sight.
The brutality of our slavery, whatever that may be, is sucking us dry. Our mind, heart, and soul are wallowing in confusion, pain, and sameness.
Don’t think you’re in slavery? What about:
- Addictive behavior(s): from food to romance novels to illicit drugs
- Unfulfilled dreams
- Dead end job
- Destructive habits
- Friendships that suck you dry
Anything that holds us back from being and becoming the person we were created to be is slavery. Sometimes one has no control over circumstances – actual physical slavery (think today’s sex trafficking). But, for most of us, we simply get stuck. We allow our poor decisions to trap us into slavery and then decide there’s no way out. We accept the bondage. We sink into discouragement.
Yet our Heavenly Father promises rescue. He hasn’t left us to figure it out on our own. In His gracious love, He offers hope.
Psalm 121 says, “ I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; …The LORD watches over you – the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
We need to realign our thinking with His. We need to be willing to go through the intense pain to break the bondage of our slavery. We need to focus on Him.
“I look to You, heaven-dwelling God, look up to You for help. Like servants, alert to their master’s commands, like a maiden attending her lady, we’re watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting Your word of mercy.” Psalm 123:1-2
The Israelites lost their focus. They couldn’t believe God’s promises because they got stuck in the brutality of their slavery. Oh so easy to do!
When we get stuck, we put our heads down focusing only on the mud we’re trying to slog through. Our minds get clogged. We lose hope for change. Hope for a way out.
But there is hope!
“Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You.” Psalm 25:5
Hope for the hurting.
Hope for the discouraged.
Hope for the stuck.
Hope for the disillusioned.
Hope for you and for me.
Extraordinary Hope!
To see clearly in the fog, change your focus. Look up. Your Redeemer is ready and waiting.
Thanks for sharing! Check out my blog at http://www.peaceduringthejourney.com