Oops! Dead End!

One time during our economics class, our instructor began telling the story of his life. One part of it was the death of her sister—on the dawn of that unfaithful day, she chose to cut off her life and escape from the huge wall of problems facing her.

The story of her sister was in fact just one of the million worldwide suicide incidents that happen each year. Most of these cases are triggered by severe depression, condemnation, issues of existence, and of course, hopelessness. And believe it or not, these feelings happen to us most of the time. There are points in our life when it seems like there’s no way out; when everything seems to fall out of control; when the weight is too heavy and you chose to say “Alright, I give up!”

                One biblical scene helped me contemplate about how to deal with dead ends in a Christian perspective—Moses and Israelites crossing the Red Sea. When the Israelites thought they were completely free from the slavery of the Egyptian Pharaoh, God made a slight twist! “The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh King of Egypt, so then he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. (Exodus 14:8) Then there came the great chase, until Moses and his people were unable to advance because the wide expanse of the Red Sea loomed in front of them. Guess what? The Israelites started to feel hopeless and began grumbling at Moses and God. (v. 11-14)

In our Christian race, sometimes we are too lax as if we are free and exempted from all the problems and trials this world has to give. But God is the best storyteller, and he knows how to twist events; simply because He tests our trust and obedience on Him. Often times we grumble and be bitter on the Lord because some things go beyond our prowess and expectations. Moses on the other hand, knew that his God is mighty; that trusting Him fully is the one and only choice and look what happened! He was able to divide the sea into half. (v. 21)

Moses is completely aware that he’s just a mere human being and that his strength and wisdom is nothing compared to the Lord just as Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” When we come to stumble at life’s dead ends, that’s where we realize we are all powerless. However, admitting our weaknesses leads us on trusting God to do the work—not our work. So what do we do then?  Simple! Do what Moses held on to on verse 14, “The Lord will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still.” So be still, and know He is God! (Psalms 46:10), and keep in mind that we should always boast about our weaknesses for in those moments, God’s power is fully displayed. (2Cor. 12:19)

There are days when we cry out to God for help, and afterwards, when we don’t get what we want, we immediately rebel and doubt like little kids. But God knows our every circumstances, He knows our pain and sufferings, He knows the best solution more than ours. Therefore, I urge you to never stop praying as Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” Remember that in all ways, it must be more of God and less of us. God will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6), God can break our problems into half so that we may be able to cross over it and pursue the race towards eternity.

Psalms 43:5

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
        Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.