Exodus 14:9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.
I’m not saying the Israelites responded appropriately toward Moses here; however, I get it. They are afraid, terrified. And I think we can all agree that anger is a much easier emotion to handle than fear. So if we can find the one responsible for our fear, we can focus all our anger on that person.
Exodus 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.
The problem is that that never helps. Focusing anger to cover fear doesn’t make anything better. However, as my therapist says, “We have to feel our feelings.” So be angry. Be scared. But also, don’t forget verse 10 here. Don’t forget to cry out to the Lord–in your fear, your terror, your anger, your hopelessness. Whatever the emotions, cry out to the Lord.
Exodus 14:11 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?
Precious Savior, Thank You that You are with us. Always. That You will never leave us nor forsake us. Thank You that You hear us when we cry out, whatever the emotion. Thank You that if we lay our burdens at Your feet, You will blanket us with Your peace, yet You are with us always, even if we can’t manage to lay those burdens down. Thank You. Amen.
Exodus 14:12 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!”
Have a blessed day.