Monday Memo 1198: Don't Go Back

I once asked someone I was counseling, "What are you afraid of?" Her answer was quick and confident, "Nothing!" And that was a true statement, because that woman was doing nothing that would warrant fear. She had controlled her life to the extent that as soon as she sensed fear, she backed off and returned to her comfort zone. What's more, she conveniently involved God in the process, explaining how the timing was never right or the Lord had not released her to do anything beyond what she was doing.

Are you like this woman? Perhaps we all are to some degree. Let's look this week at what you can do if you ever find yourself with no options but to step out only to encounter both fear and risk of failure as you do.

DON'T PANIC   

Last week we saw how Pharaoh ordered the Israelites to continue their work making bricks without the straw being supplied for them. I identified this as economic terrorism, something many encounter as they step out to fulfill their purpose. From that point on, Moses and Pharaoh were in a tug of war involving the freedom of God's people, which was finally won after the Passover night when all the firstborn Egyptians were slain.

The story didn't end there, however. After that, Israel left Egypt and headed for the Promised Land. Pharaoh reconsidered his decision to let the people go and assembled his army, taking off in hot pursuit of his former slaves. What did the people do? They cried out to Moses and God:

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 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? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" (Exodus 14:10-12).

The people panicked and were ready to go back to the slavery of Egypt. 

DON'T GO BACK

Can you see the application for your own life and work?  If economic terrorism doesn't keep you from purpose and you escape its clutches, then fear and intimidation can come in like a flood and threaten to sweep you off your feet. All the evidence helps you have thoughts like, "We'll starve. We won't be able to pay our mortgage. People will laugh. We'll lose our health insurance!" When that happens, what can you do? At that point, you need to face the fear and intimidation and do what Moses told the people to do:

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 to be still" (Exodus 14:13-14).

The last thing you feel like doing when you're afraid and intimidated is to do nothing, but that may be the best advice and action you can take. When you are powerless to make a difference, why not put it in the hands of the One who can? And there is no better Financial Adviser, Business Agent, or Board Member than the Lord Himself.

So if you are facing extreme financial pressure and everything in you wants to quit and "go back" to whatever you were doing, don't do it. Don't deny the truth of your situation, but don't deny God's power to overcome it. Today you may simply need to rest  in the power of your purpose, a purpose that has been assigned by God Himself. And we know where God guides, He provides, and where it's God's will, it's God's bill. Have a great week!