Exodus 14,11-12:
They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt...It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!

Self-Pity Must Be Surrendered

Perhaps we might safely say that the Israelites were a grumbling lot, prone to outbursts of self-pity. But before we point a finger of accusation at the Israelites, I wonder if we might need to remove a plank from our own eye first?

There was something comforting about the past that the Israelites preferred at this point to the unknown dilemma of future freedom. It would seem they were so afraid of the unknown that they might even have been willing to settle for second best and remain in an oppressed lifestyle rather than face the trial of exodus.

I have found that self-pity must be surrendered to God during a radical healing journey. One of the most effective ways to destroy the habit of feeling sorry for one's self, is first of all to focus on God and perhaps read aloud a favourite piece of Scripture that inspires you. Then purpose to think about other people; it could be someone you know is facing a difficult situation or perhaps an item on the news headlines has touched your heart.

Why not turn your personal pain or disappointment into an opportunity for empathy-fueled prayer and action on behalf of someone in a less privileged or more acute situation than your own? It works every time! We are blessed to be a blessing.

It is essential to let go of the past if we are to move into new vistas and future potential of liberty in Christ. Even though our enemy will use fear of the unknown to overwhelm us and cause us to lose courage, we must endeavour to maintain a bold faith in the face of adversity.

Standing and Stillness in Warfare is Strategy

Exodus 14,13-14:
Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.

Sometimes all we can do is stand. Paul taught us that in warfare, "standing" is a strategy against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:10, 14). Standing with God is like Holy Spirit super glue - it binds you to the Lord and His purposes and releases Godly determination in us to finish the race no matter what. When we stand firm, God enables us to overcome our enemy in His truth. We quickly discover in spiritual skirmishes that God's authority is truly indisputable and the enemy must bow the knee to the King of kings.

God said that the people would never have to face the enemy they faced that day again. In other words, the battles we win today remain future victories. By faith we can maintain ground taken without having to fight the same battle twice. Furthermore, we do not need to revisit old wounds: what God has healed, He has healed.

Self-examination can be helpful to assess healing progress but ongoing introspection has no place in a people whose focus is the Lord. Once in a vision I saw a sign that said, "No fishing" beside a deep pond. I knew God was telling me that He had completed an aspect of healing in my life and that I didn't need to go back and cover old ground.

We note that Moses exhorted the people to "be still." It is a beautiful truth of knowing God that resting and trusting in Him are not passive, but rather they are active aspects of our faith walk. Trust is about having faith in God to bring forth what is not yet seen, it is about saying, "I believe."

When we feel exhausted from the battle, it is comforting to know that God will fight for us when we don't have the energy to fight for ourselves. God will also cause other brothers and sisters in the faith to rise up on our behalf. This isn't an excuse for us to be lazy, but it is a grace-blessing our Father asks us to receive by faith.

When a child hurts themselves it is a natural compassionate response to reach out to help. As a mother, I cannot help but put my arms around my little ones when they weep from pain. A holy hug can work wonders when we are in need of healing. In like manner, God's presence wraps itself around us as a comforting blanket and embraces us.

A Time to Stand, a Time to Move, a Time to Reach Out

Exodus 14,15-16:
Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

There is a time to stand and a time to move and we must learn to recognise the seasons both individually and corporately. If we don't discern a new season with God's instruction to "move on," our past has then the potential to be used as a "crutch" - meaning it remains a familiar comfort zone and a possible stumbling block to the new things God has for us.

I met a lady on a plane journey once who had a hand painted walking stick. It was one of the loveliest walking sticks I've ever seen. Throughout the flight I engaged with the lady in discussion and she told me that she was in continuous, severe pain. Eventually I asked her if she would like me to pray for her leg to be healed in the name of Jesus. She stared at me with disbelief and said, "No thanks." I asked again, hoping she might change her mind but she became defensive and slightly irritated.

In response, I remained quiet and chose to respect her wishes. I closed my eyes and prayed silently. The Lord broke into my thoughts and He said, "My child, some people prefer the comfort of pain, the attention it brings and the lifestyle they are familiar with than choosing to trust Me. Some people, like this woman, use pain as a crutch, rather than choosing to be healed in My loving arms." I was deeply saddened that this dear woman missed the day of her visitation. God's words caused me to meditate deeply.

When God was healing me of many childhood traumas, I used to sometimes miss the numbness my soul experienced. Pain and misery have a way of imprisoning us and swallowing our identity up in sorrow and depression. However, I am so glad that God gave me the tenacity to push beyond my human limitations and to sustain a place of security in covenant relationship with Him.

Being delivered from fear was one of the greatest healing experiences I have had with Jesus. It truly set me free to be a woman of faith! It meant surrendering past traumas, wounds and great gaping tears in my soul to His wonder-working Blood. He has healed me of each pain-filled memory, word, assault and atrocity.

When we give the Lord access and invite His presence into areas of trauma in our lives, it acts as a divine catalyst for healing. When God heals us, He does so perfectly and with nothing missing. Beloved child of God, I encourage you to pursue your healing until you are made whole in Him.

God's authority raises itself as a banner of victory over our circumstances, situations and any and all intimidation and enemy assault. We must do our part, like Moses, in learning to exercise our God-given authority over our circumstances. Moses raised his staff, thus exerting God's authority, commanding what stood before God's people in the natural environment to be aligned with Heaven. He then stretched the staff out as a gesture of faith in action.

Similarly, we have to do our bit to engage by faith and believe God's authority will deliver every area of our lives into total freedom. In this way we will experience Kingdom transformation and acceleration of destiny! God bless you today and may He pour out a special healing blessing upon you for His glory.

Let's Pray:

Father God, we repent of our laziness, compromise and sin, and ask You to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Holy Spirit, we give You access to all areas of our lives and we step into our God-given authority and command all oppression and bondage to be broken off our lives. We reach out in faith to receive the fullness of our destiny in Jesus' name. Amen.

Yours in His love,

Catherine Brown, Founder
Gatekeepers Global Ministries