Many times I liken our journey out of a destructive marriage to the Exodus from Egypt. (And no, we most likely will not receive “riches” on our way out.) Rather, it compares in the trust we have to have in God as we do what we know we need to. The waters will be stormy and scary as we start crossing out.
The enemy may pursue—perhaps with ‘sweet words’ like Pharoah, “sure I’ll let you go” and then fighting it every step of the way. Some sisters may complain and want to go back, thinking things were much better when they were in bondage. Forgetting what it was really like, while longing for “onions”, the crumbs of perceived “good” times.
There may be days of scarcity, where God provides manna, one meal at a time. You will probably experience a longer time than you’d like in the wilderness as you make that journey out. But it most likely won’t be, and doesn’t have to be, 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. You have the staff of His healing to ever look to to receive from Him. He will preserve you!
There will be many battles to fight—both external and internal, as we face court date after court date with x agreeing to nothing, as friends, family, and church turn into flying moneys rather than support, as our emotions and negative thoughts are all over the place—it’s just too much. And we pray He sends us an Aaron and Hur (Erin and her?) to hold up our arms when we are just too weary.
But Sisters, God “didn’t bring us out this far to take us back again!” There is a Shiloh, in a land of milk and honey. Not always smooth sailing and earthly prosperity. But a place of peace and rest—and His provision and comfort and love. A place where we are Free! It is a wonderful place He has for us. And so worth leaving “Egypt” for.
This past week, I’ve had a green pastures and still waters time of peaceful rest with Jesus. I attended an abuse survivors’ healing retreat, with over 375 other Christian women. Even though I’m several years out of Egypt, and not living in the trauma anymore, regardless of where we are on the journey, we all still need times of soul care. This was a sweet time of rest and relaxation with far away friends—long-time and new. A time of glorious worship. A time of encouraging messages from speakers who “get it”, most of them because they’ve been through it. And a time of basking in the beautiful, peaceful creation God made, in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This is a place, an experience, I never would have dreamed was possible for me, while I was still living in “Egypt” under oppression. But it is a blessing that God Himself provided—not just this once, but this is my third time for this particular retreat and location. Nothing that I in my own resources could do. And far beyond my previous expectations and hopes.
God has sent ‘Erins and hers’ to walk beside me, holding me up when I just can’t take another step. He has been YHWH Rapha—my Healer. He has been YHWH Ro’eh my Good Shepard, Who led me to Shiloh, a land of tranquility.
What does God have for you, dear sister? On the other side of the Red Sea, beyond the wilderness? I don’t know. And you won’t either, until you step out into those scary waters leading out of Egypt. Away from bondage and oppression, through the wilderness learning to trust Him day by day and step by step as He lifts His staff of healing, as He leads you to Shiloh.
💝
Living Coram Deo & freely whole
SDG!
~ Liberty—Life Restoration & Therapeutic Creativity Coach
Providing Soul-healing, beauty from ashes content through Creativity & Coaching—to empower you to live a life that is Freely Whole—spirit, soul, and body—in Jesus!
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