Oftentimes deception can pull us towards various directions which have no purpose or meaning. It is quite easy, in fact, to enlist in causes which very much go against our own good. Although urged to run into enticing battles with weapons ablaze, such performance can devise great consequences—for both us and our loved ones.

For every action, there is a reaction. It is easy to blame the reaction—yet do we realize it is merely a response to our original action?

Instead of analyzing who should be blamed, the greater condemnation lies in our inability to take responsibility—preventing corrupt urges from controlling the senses. We must stop allowing nonsensical fears to take control of our ultimate task, understanding that such intimidation and menacing leads to callousness—not effectiveness.

What we need is not a quick jab, yet a faithful spirit. This is what it takes to cross over.

As spoken in scripture, the Israelites under Moshe cursed him for pressures made by the Egyptians as they made haste into the wilderness. “Why have you done this to us, bringing us out of Egypt?” they asked. “Didn’t we tell you in Egypt to leave us alone? We’ll just go on being slaves for the Egyptians!”

Deliverance is usually hindered by those who fear their own taskmasters (such is the slave mentality). Yet instead of reacting to communal pressure, Moshe understood the conflict would be resolved by a greater and mightier power.

“Stop being so fearful!” responded Moshe. “Remain steady and you will see how the Father is going to save you. He will do battle for you.”

Yoda in Star Wars also speaks against such mindless, emotional responses. “Anger. Fear. Aggression. The dark side are they. Easily they flow—quick to join you in a fight.”

“Cease from anger and forsake wrath,” it says in Psalms 37. “Fret not yourself in any manner to do evil, for evildoers shall be cut off. Yet those that wait upon the Father shall inherit the earth.”

We should be mindful of this essential truth. By being still and allowing the Father to respond, we are provided the very means to settle the conflict in the manner he deems fit. We avoid the traps evoked by the wicked, walking as one of meekness and sincere confidence.

Psalms 46: “The Father makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth, breaking the bow and cutting the spear in sunder. He burns the chariot in the fire.”

“Be still, and know that I am.”