It is so easy to fall back into old habits, negative thought patterns, self-doubt and accept that good things don’t happen for us. On days likes these, it almost felt like there is an invisible chain that binds us. Where is the freedom, the joy, the forward movement that we should be experiencing in life?
When reading about God repeatedly saying that He is the God that brought the people out of Egypt to be their God, I keep thinking there is a message related to what this Egypt could mean for us. Looking at Exodus 20:2, I think Egypt could be representative of things that bind us.
That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 22:33 (KJV)
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Exodus 20:2 (KJV)
What’s Your Egypt?
Here are some possible ‘Egypts’ in my life:
- Self-limiting beliefs – thinking that because I haven’t done something that is entrepreneurial, I can’t possibly be one now in my 40s
- ‘Same-person’ behaviors – acting like I have always acted in front of my spouse or kiddo, even though I know I am capable of being a better partner/ mom
- Sinful thoughts – prone to thinking the worst of someone or coveting what I can’t have
There could be other ‘Egypts’ such as addiction, pornography, binge-eating or anything that we do because we feel like we have no choice but to do it. All these struggles are real. We need all the help we can get to move past these Egypts in our lives.
Moving Past the ‘Egypt’ in our Life
- Staying on the right side
God knew how easy/ tempted the Israelites would be to go back to Egypt, especially when the road ahead was going to be tough and scary.
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
Exodus 13:17 (NIV)
And Egypt was bondage to the Israelites. Yet, many times as we have seen in Exodus devotionals, they lamented about having to leave Egypt! When we try to shake off from those invisible (but real) bondage, we need some strategies to staying on the right side of life. Here are some strategies from a Psychology Today article1:
- Be mindful of urges
- Pay attention to subtle behaviors that suggest a return to old ways
- Notice “permission-giving” thoughts that can lure us into making an ill-advised U-turn
Seeing the better alternate reality
When we can see that there is an alternative that is better, it helps us to move forward. That’s possibly why visualization is so often recommended as a way for us to achieve our goals, and get what we want in our life.
In order to see what is unseen, we need faith. And I think the key to having this faith is knowing who we are placing our faith in.
“Keep my commands and follow them. I am the Lord. Do not profane my holy name, for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the Lord, who made you holy and who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 22:31-33
Recently, I felt discouraged that this website didn’t have many visitors (so thank you for reading 😊) and started to wonder if I ought to join some paid course. Then I mentioned to kiddo that I might do so, and she gave me a disapproving look. That evening I recalled this devotional that I wrote about Abraham’s faith journey and his commitment to give glory to God, and no one else. I then prayed to God to be the God who would journey with me, and decided to put my faith wholly in God.
Likewise, when we are moving past our ‘Egypt’ to freedom, it is helpful to know the God we have is THE GOD. Not a well-known life coach, not a successful method but God. He cares deeply for us – the whole bible is his letter to us and his son died for us, freeing us from the bondage of sin. When we feel trapped, we can take heart that we have a God to lead us out of Egypt.
During the week, try journaling about the areas which you feel trapped. Share your comments as this is an area that we can help each other navigate.
Moving out of Bondage
Leviticus 22 Journaling Prompt
Is there an area in your life which you feel you are trapped in?
What steps can you take to move away from your ‘Egypt’?
God, many days I feel like I can’t get away. Away from my sins, my bad habits, my negative thoughts. I know that You understand these struggles, so help me God.
Books on Living in Freedom
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
I found these books which have received good reviews on Amazon – a life of freedom has to do with our inner life, so aptly these books focus on overcoming anxiety, negative emotions and healing 💪
1 Seth J. Gillihan Ph.D. Why Is It So Easy to Slip Back Into Bad Habits? Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/think-act-be/201511/why-is-it-so-easy-slip-back-bad-habits Accessed 1 Mar 2021.