Are You Embracing Your Destruction?

By Michael Mitchell

Theme: “Are you embracing your destruction?”

The concept of Stockholm Syndrome—a psychological phenomenon where hostages develop an attachment to their captors—resonates far beyond modern captivity. It can be traced back to the children of Israel during their exodus from Egypt. The people of God, miraculously freed from centuries of slavery, shockingly expressed a desire to return to their oppressors rather than continue on the journey to freedom. This longing to return to Egypt symbolizes a deeper issue that plagues humanity even today: the comfort we often find in our own destruction, in the familiarity of bondage rather than the discomfort of freedom.

The Israelites and Their Bondage to Egypt

Exodus 16:3 – “The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.’”

Despite the harshness of their slavery, the Israelites yearned to return to Egypt. Why? Because Egypt represented a place of familiarity, even if it was a place of oppression. The journey to freedom required faith, patience, and trust in a promise that had yet to be fully realized. The certainty of suffering in Egypt was, to them, more bearable than the uncertainty of the wilderness.

This reflects the essence of Stockholm Syndrome: the captives identify with their oppressors because the discomfort of the known feels more secure than the fear of the unknown. In a spiritual context, many of us are still bound to “Egypt”—the familiar sins, toxic relationships, or destructive behaviors that enslave us. Even though God offers a path to freedom, we often cling to the very things that are meant to destroy us.

Why Do We Embrace Our Destruction?

The children of Israel, much like many of us today, had been conditioned to think like captives. Proverbs 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” This pattern of returning to destructive habits stems from a place of fear, comfort, and lack of faith in God’s promises.

In the Ethiopian Orthodox hermeneutical tradition, the journey of the Israelites is not just a historical event but a metaphor for the human soul’s journey from sin to salvation. The bondage of Egypt represents our captivity to sin and the material world, while the Promised Land symbolizes the eternal freedom and life offered by God. The wilderness journey is the process of purification and transformation, where we are called to trust God even when it’s uncomfortable or uncertain.

We often embrace our destruction because it is disguised as comfort. The Hebrews knew how to navigate the confines of slavery, just as we sometimes know how to survive in environments of sin, addiction, or toxic relationships. But God calls us to break those chains, to endure the wilderness, and to pursue the freedom He has prepared for us.

Breaking the Cycle of Bondage

Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

God’s plan for us is always greater than the oppression we leave behind. But the process of breaking free is not easy. The Israelites struggled in the wilderness because they had been conditioned to think like slaves. They lacked the spiritual discipline and faith necessary to fully embrace their identity as God’s chosen people.

The same is true for us. Breaking free from destructive patterns requires a change in mindset, a complete transformation of how we view ourselves, our circumstances, and God’s role in our lives. The Ethiopian Orthodox tradition emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipline in this transformation. Fasting, prayer, and repentance are not just religious rituals; they are tools to cleanse the soul and prepare it to receive the freedom God offers.

In our journey, we must remember that God revamps our minds and hearts through these practices. He reorients our desires so that we no longer crave the things that once enslaved us. Just as He led the Israelites out of Egypt, He leads us out of our own spiritual Egypt, transforming us from slaves to free people.

Familiarity vs. Freedom

One of the greatest spiritual dangers is the temptation to remain in what is familiar, even when it is harmful. John 8:36 reminds us, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” True freedom in Christ is not simply being released from external circumstances but being transformed internally so that we no longer desire what enslaves us.

The Israelites embraced their destruction when they longed for Egypt because they were more familiar with slavery than with freedom. Similarly, we must ask ourselves: are we embracing our own destruction out of fear of the unknown? Do we cling to unhealthy habits, relationships, or mindsets because we are afraid of the discomfort that comes with change?

God’s Deliverance: A Path to Freedom

In Masonic and Eastern Star teachings, the concept of freedom is deeply tied to enlightenment and self-mastery. Just as the Israelites had to undergo a transformation in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land, we must undergo a spiritual transformation to fully embrace the freedom God offers. This transformation requires discipline, faith, and the willingness to let go of what is familiar, even if it feels safe.

In the Aramaic tradition, the word for “repentance” is “teshuvah,” which means to return—not just to turn away from sin, but to return to God. This is the essence of breaking free from our destruction: returning to God and His plan for our lives. It is a journey that requires us to trust in His promises, even when the path is uncertain.

Conclusion: Embrace Freedom, Not Destruction

The journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land is a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journey. Like the Israelites, we are often tempted to return to the things that enslave us because they feel familiar and safe. But God calls us to something greater. He calls us to freedom.

Are you embracing your destruction, or are you willing to step into the unknown and trust God’s plan for your life? The path to freedom is not easy, but it is worth it. Through spiritual discipline, faith, and repentance, we can break free from the things that enslave us and embrace the life that God has promised.

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

May we have the courage to embrace freedom and leave behind the destruction that holds us back. May we trust in God’s plan, even when the path is difficult. And may we always remember that true freedom comes not from the absence of struggle, but from the presence of God in our lives.