Navigate Troubled Waters (And Overcome Fear)Sample

The Seas

The Israelites were trapped. The angry Egyptian army was on one side, and the impassable Red Sea was on the other. There was no physical way to escape their doom.

Imagine what it must have been like. The ground is shaking because all Pharaoh’s army, with their horses and chariots, is coming in a murderous rage. The impact of that many chariots would have created such a pounding that every person could feel it in their chest.

There was no logistical way to save themselves. But the beauty and majesty of the story are that although logic has limits, God doesn’t. God allowed the people to come to a place where they literally needed a miracle. He has the power to rescue in ways that the Israelites could never have dreamed.

The back story to this moment is that the people had prayed to be freed for years. It was heartbreaking to think that after years of praying to be released and finally tasting freedom, they would be recaptured by their oppressors and made to go back to slavery.

To be rescued by God, Moses tells them what to do:

“…Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NIV)

I will admit that sometimes “being still” feels like the one thing I can’t do. Everything in me wants desperately to find a solution to what lies in front of me. But there are times when God wants me to stop and focus on him and his power instead of working hard to find solutions in my power.

My anxiety sometimes feels like chains around my mind and heart. I feel the weight of it. It brings thoughts and worries that can distract me from being able to stay in the present and even compromise my health. I am desperate for freedom. I have noticed that the first step God has for me is to stop and focus on him before I do anything further, to give him a chance to surprise me with his greatness.

If you are filled with worry and fear, stop. Be still in his presence. Write down your fears and worries and give them over to him.

Lord, we want so desperately to know all the answers and be able to logically figure out what to do when life becomes full of pain and heartache. I pray we would take time to literally stop and look to you. You work in ways we could never dream or imagine. And even if we are in a time when we can’t see you, you tell us to trust that you are there fighting for us. We need only our hearts to be still.