Munching on nachos and drinking a fully loaded Dr. Pepper, I calculate the length of time since I last consumed these foods–seven months.
Today, I am purposefully trying to induce an attack of Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis, the rare neuromuscular disease that hijacked my body nearly a year ago. My assignment for the next two days is to avoid taking my medications and to eat everything to trigger an attack. I return to Duke on Thursday for more testing. The neurologist wants to me trigger an attack so that she can conduct further nerve conduction tests while paralyzed. (Doesn’t that sound fun?)
During my quiet time with the Lord this morning, I contemplated this process and wondered, “Isn’t there an easier way?” I understand comparing test results from a good day/bad day will aid in my treatment plan. However, I know pain and paralysis is imminent.
“Isn’t there an easier way?” is the question we frequently ask when facing difficulty. God reminded me of his leading of Moses and the Israelites through the Red Sea. The Israelites probably also asked for an easier way. “God did not lead them on the road…though that was shorter. God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea” (Exodus 13:17-18).
In this epic story, God led the people as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. They followed God’s lead into an impossible situation between enemy territory and a body of water too wide to cross. Then God hardened Pharaoh’s heart knowing the King of Egypt would pursue them. God also induced an attack.
Why would God induce an attack on his children? Why would God purposefully position His children in an impossible situation? Often, God will bring us to a place of utter dependence on Him to bring glory to His Name and to prove that “I AM LORD” (Exodus 14:4).
Pastor and writer Robert J. Morgan wrote a powerful book titled The Red Sea Rules. Each time I read this book, I find new comfort from a familiar story of Moses and the Red Sea. The byline of the book is one of my favorite quotes, “The same God who led you in will lead you out.”
When you feel the enemy closing in and an attack in imminent, remember these two things: “With God all things are possible,” and “The same God who led you in will lead you out.”
~April Dawn White
*Images courtesy of author and Pixabay.
© 2016 April Dawn White, All rights reserved