“Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, ‘The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’ Therefore God led the people around by way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in battle formation from the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 13:17-18 NASB)
If you took Psychology in high school or college, I’m sure you studied, well let’s say you were taught about Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning Theory. Remember? First, recall that conditional stimuli, including emotional stimuli, geographical stimuli, and situation stimuli, naturally trigger a reaction. This reaction is called a conditional response.
In Pavlov’s experiment, when dogs would heard a certain sound, they would respond by salivating thinking that the sound was associated with food. In our experiences through life, a variety of stimuli can either increase our joy or influence us to be filled with the blues or feel depressed. In the case of the latter stimuli, we need a way to overcome conditional responses. What is “the way?” My simple answer. Jesus is the way. But let’s go a little further.
In thinking how to answer this question, I remembered how God provided the Israelites a way to escape the conditional stimuli of fear, intimidation, and continued bondage produced by the Egyptians while in captivity for over 400 years. God had them go a longer route versus a much shorter route as they departed Egypt. God was aware that the conditional stimuli that I just mentioned would bring about a conditional response as described above.
Here is what I found in my quick research: “God deliberately chose the longer desert route instead of the shorter coastal path through Philistine territory because it was a strategic, protective, and formative decision for the newly freed Israelites. Immediate protection from premature war. The “short road” would have brought them directly into hostile Philistine territory, guarded by Egyptian military outposts. God foresaw that sudden combat with seasoned armies would tempt the untrained ex-slaves to lose courage and return to Egypt. The longer route shielded them from this risk “
Look at God! Isn’t He awesome? God did not have to take a Psychology course or engage in an in-depth study Pavlov’s theory. God knew how to overcome or actually prevent an undesirable conditional response. God always has the answer.
Let’s face it, we all, including yours truly, will encounter conditional stimuli that will try to provoke a conditional response from us, bring us down, depress us, and sometimes have us withdraw from some places and some faces to circumvent the associated conditional response. But let me tell you something. Just as the Lord directed the path of the Israelites, He will direct your path and help you be unbothered, unstopped, and unraveled as you continue your continued journey. Therefore, when you feel that conditioned response coming, turn to the Lord for help. He is a Helper. Be blessed!
“God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 The Amplified Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King
For some reason there are few conditional stimuli that create a conditional response from me. The Lord has been so good to me. Just as He forgives and forgets my failings when I fall out of step with Him, He has strengthened to be able to leave that conditional stimuli where it belongs: in His hands, and in the past. Thank God for His grace and mercy.
You are blessed to not have to deal with many conditional responses. But keep the insights in this meditation in mind for the future or to help someone else. Be blessed!