The old saying is, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." A problem with that is sometimes they go in the wrong direction. Church is notorious for having people who cannot stay strong in a crisis. When life is smooth sailing then everything is fine. When life encounters some strong winds or rough surf then too many believers tend to look for an escape. My study last week took me to the story of the exodus. How God's people could endure with such courage was an eye opener. Here are people who are accustomed to blessings beyond compare yet are turned into common slaves by the Egyptians who fear them. For the Hebrews, courage is not dependent on conditions. My wish is that it would be the same for us.

How we face the days when God can't seem to be felt is a huge measure of maturity. We know in our mind God is always around. We just aren't always sure that He cares. Feeling better often becomes more important than finding God in our world. There was no immediate relief on the way for the Hebrews when the book of Exodus opens. However these people just like us are determined to be faithful in spite of the obstacles. It is that obedience that brings God to life in their life as it will in ours.

Our world is far different than theirs on the surface. Yet with all the tools of technology at our disposal we still cannot fix life. It seems that we spend a lot of time, energy, and money to simply fix life but fall short. Exodus is a reminder that God's purpose is much larger than fixing life. God is going to be working out that purpose even when we don't see or feel Him. His commitment to us is not dependent on the situation of the moment. My hope becomes not in escaping a crisis but gaining a deeper encounter with Him.

There is no simple forumla for going through these types of experiences. One suggestion is to join with others who know your pain to gain from their strength. There will be those who do not understand and become critical of your journey. Avoid those people at all costs. Find those who can encourage you to hold to your faith. Also, keep at your habits of prayer and study. There is no time when taking a break here will ever add to your spiritual walk. Finally, learn that the art of looking to the past seldom helps anything. Our tendency is to look back as if we can regain something that seems lost. Remember that God does have better things in store for life as we grow into a faith that holds to Him no matter what. My hope is that we could somehow avoid these times as they are painful. Reality says that a better hope would be that we grow beyond comparison from a life dependent on His power as well as His grace.

Bro. Trey