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Day Five: Temptations and Facing Death

Moses felt that he would die if he confronted Pharaoh. This was only an appearance, for the Lord protected him from Pharaoh’s wrath. But if we look more closely, we see that something indeed must die as we begin the journey to a new life. This something is the former self–centered state that kept us captive in Egypt in the first place. The appearance was that Moses would die, but in reality something belonging to the land of Egypt would have to die. This death can be seen in the story of the ten plagues in Egypt, the final and most devastating being the death of all first born sons including Pharaoh’s.

When facing temptations it is easy to become overwhelmed and full of despair. The hells know how to attack our confidence and our trust that the Lord is taking care of us. At times we feel like Moses, sure that we will not be able to overcome these temptations. And we cannot overcome them on our own. But we are not alone, although it may feel as if we are. The passage (below) from Secrets of Heaven describes the reasons that we cannot always tell that the Lord is helping us to work through our temptations.

Have you ever gone through a time of struggle and, even before the problem was resolved, had that feeling of "hope and consequent comfort" that the Lord offers? The understanding and ability to overcome temptations doesn’t necessarily come in miraculous events or in actually hearing the Lord’s instructions for you. Sometimes it is just the thought that perhaps you can succeed, can allow a part of you to die, so that the rest of you can move on. These thoughts are indicative of Lord’s gentle support on our side of the struggle. Try paying attention to these feelings of hope and comfort and notice the ways in which they make it easier to start and continue on your journey out of captivity and toward the promised land.

Hells fight against a person and the Lord for a person. Any falsity that the hells introduce is met with a response from the Divine. The falsities which come from hell are thrust into and enter the external or natural self, but the response from the Divine enters the internal or spiritual self. You are less conscious of this response which comes from the Divine than you are of those falsities. It does not touch your individual thoughts, only your general awareness, yet in such a way that you scarcely come to be conscious of it except as hope and consequent comfort, which however hold within them countless blessings that you have no knowledge of. These are such that they are suited to your affection or love, especially your affection for or love of truth and goodness, which form your conscience. Secrets of Heaven 8159

Key Point
Even when we cannot feel it or are not aware of it, the Lord is influencing our lives and trying to connect with us.

Reflection
What part of yourself holds you captive and needs to "die" before you can grow spiritually?

Download this Reflection and Quote in printable form. (PDF)

Discussion Board
Share your thoughts on today's Journey in the discussion board.

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