Have You Reached a Dead End?
You may not see a way out in your darkest moments, but there always is!
Do you feel like you have reached a dead end in your life and don’t know what to do?
I was reading Exodus Chapter 14 when I came across the story of how the Israelites escaped through the Red Sea.
After the people of Israel lived in Egypt for 430 years, God set them free from slavery in Egypt. Pharaoh, who had seen God move on behalf of the Israelites, finally decided it was time to let them go.
Just after he received word that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds and started pursuing them. As they caught up with them, the Israelites started crying and blaming Moses for bringing them out of Egypt because it looked like they were about to be killed by Pharaoh’s army.
They found themselves trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea because they had reached a dead end and didn’t know what to do.
The question is: would they turn back, stop, and let the Egyptians kill them, or would a miracle emerge from somewhere?
What the Red Sea Represents
In this context, the Red Sea represents a dead end or the end of a road. It represents a place in your life where you don’t see a way forward and you must either stop or turn back.
What could your dead end situation look like?
- You pursue a dream, but it seems it’s not going anywhere.
- You are trapped in a toxic marriage or relationship and not knowing how to get out.
- You are fired, broke, and do not know how to start over because you are about to turn 50.
- You and your business partners no longer share the same goals in a business that started well but have now reached a dead end in your business.
- Having an illness that makes you feel like you can never have a normal life again or live the life you’ve always wished for.
No matter what your Red Sea situation is, it may seem like you only have two options until you realize that there’s one who holds endless options for you, and all you need to do is cry out to Him.
There Was Purpose in Their Dead End
Though it was not an ideal situation for the Israelites to face at that moment, still their dead-end situation had a purpose.
Instead of looking to themselves for answers, they recognized their frustration, helplessness and hopelessness and reached out to the one who had all the answers.
They sought God for counsel, and He directed them toward their next steps.
You may not be able to understand the purpose of what you are facing at the moment, but like the Israelites, if you are feeling helpless and frustrated in your situation then maybe it’s time to reach out to the one who has all the help you need.
Proverbs 3: 5–6 (AMP) says:
Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
And when you trust and rely confidently on Him, He will direct your path and remove every obstacle that may be standing in your way.
Staying Calm When Facing a Dead End
The israelites were complaining to Moses saying:
“Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness.” —Exodus 14:12, NLT
But Moses stood before them and said —
“Don’t be afraid. Just stand and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14: 13–14, NLT
Maybe you are blaming yourself right now saying,
- Why did I allow myself to get into this marriage in the first place? It’s toxic, and I don’t even know where my life is going.
- How did I end up in this mess of a business partnership? What do I do now?
- I have lost everything in my life. How do I start over when I am turning 50 soon? What will others think about me?
No matter how you look at your situation, there’s always a way out. Like Moses said to the Israelites — stay calm, stand still and see how the Lord will deliver you from your situation.
God Made a Way Through Their Dead End
Just when the Israelites were closed in by the Egyptian army, Moses cried out to God about what to do!
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 14: 15–16, NLT
While they were frantic about their situation, the whole time God had the answer. He knew what to do.
None of them would have thought that God would make a way for them through the Red Sea. According to them, it was the end of the road, no way of going forward.
- Your dream might seem like a dead end to you, but it’s not to Him.
- Your toxic marriage might seem like a dead end to you, but it’s not to Him.
- You starting over at 50 may seem like the end of the road for you, but it’s not to Him.
- Your business partnership may seem like its ending, but it’s not to God.
- Your illness may feel like a dead end to ever living a normal life, but it’s not to him.
So while you may be scared, worried, frustrated about your situation. God has the answer to what you need. Just like He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, He will surely make a way for you too.
All you need to do is believe!
Check out this story below:
I came across this affirmation by Nancy Blackman, MASF, “I Am Not For Everybody.”
As a teen, I felt insecure because I didn’t like math and science, while most of my friends were all about that. Attending those classes every day felt like a drag. I knew that I was different, but I didn’t know how to express that fully.
Reading this article made me wish I had heard these words before. If only someone had told me to embrace my creative ability instead of trying to fit in, I would have been set free much sooner.
It’s true. I am not for everybody, and guess what?
I’m ok with that now!
Thank you for the encouraging words Nancy!
