Exodus 6:9

So Moses spoke this to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.

 

Anguish here means “impatience” and the root word implies “vexed” or “to be grieved.”

 

If not for the loving care of the Holy Spirit, it is often hard to hear well while in a season of anguish.

 

I can be speaking truth to a heart in need and while they nod to me, I clearly see in their eyes they are unable to comprehend or process what I am saying due to anguish of spirit.

 

You might find me often tapping gently on one’s knee while whispering, “You’re hearing me but not hearing me.”

 

Their grief is clouding their hearing, and it’s simply a brick wall of pain. Cruel bondage has caused their defense mechanism to stay activated, and they might even feel numb to everything.

 

I imagine the impatient portion of this meaning is due to a seemingly never-ending hope that is deferred. Grief and anguish seem to carry an ability to offer hope of the burden lifting one day while feeling again like a wet blanket the next. One grows impatient waiting for victory.

 

As a people helper, it’s important that I have patience when they do not, and that I might pull them ever so gently back to truth while they are yet covered in anguish.

 

Sometimes you simply pray people through.

 

Anguish can cause you to believe the lie that “It will always be like this.” “You’re never getting better.” “This is your lot in life.” “God’s promises are for everyone else but you.”

 

Hopelessness can set in quickly if you’re not surrounded by those who will gently pull you back to God’s promises.

 

Sometimes the healing takes longer than we like, and we might give in to the whisper to “Give up.”

 

Anguish.

It can overwhelm a soul and even the best of warriors.

 

If you’re in a season where you feel overcome by the anguish of spirit, whereby you don’t want to hear the promises of God anymore. It’s likely because you secretly feel abandoned by even Him. If this is you, then run to a room full of those who will stand with you and keep reminding you of who you are and who Christ is.

 

He was, and is, always working His plan for your deliverance, but sometimes there is a process to walk through.

 

This I can promise you:

 

To this day, He is still committed to “…bringing the children out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 6:13)