Introduction: Why We Need Strategies for Difficult Times
When facing life’s overwhelming moments—dead ends, crises, or times of fear—many of us feel paralyzed. We look behind at what’s chasing us or ahead at the impossible sea in front. In those moments, what if there were clear, God-centered steps to move forward? That’s what Robert J. Morgan’s Red Sea Rules offers: ten practical, biblically grounded strategies for navigating hardship. In this summary of a podcast episode based on those teachings, we walk through Rules 3 to 10, learning not only how to survive difficulty, but how to walk through it faithfully, one small step at a time.
Acknowledge the Enemy, Keep Your Eyes on God
The third rule highlights a critical spiritual truth: there is an enemy, but our focus must remain on God. Using Paul’s wisdom from Ephesians 6, we’re reminded that behind every visible trial—job loss, illness, conflict—there may be unseen spiritual battles. Like the Israelites walking through parted waters with an army behind them, the more we fixate on fear or despair, the more we falter. Spiritually speaking, if we look at the bear chasing us instead of where we’re going, we crash. The solution: keep looking forward.
Pray Honestly, Not Perfectly
The fourth rule urges us to cry out to God. The Israelites’ desperate cries at the Red Sea weren’t polished prayers—they were raw and fearful. And yet God responded. There’s no need for perfect grammar or eloquent words. God responds to broken words, even silence. What matters is the sincerity. When prayer becomes honest instead of performative, it becomes powerful.
Stay Calm and Wait on God
Rule five teaches us to stay calm and confident, giving God space to act. This includes accepting that His timing often won’t match ours. Like the little girl clutching her broken toy, we often hold our pain so tightly that we don’t allow God to heal us. Psalm 37:7 reminds us to rest and wait patiently. Fretting only increases harm. Faith includes waiting—even when it hurts.
Take the Next Right Step
This rule is a cornerstone of the podcast host’s philosophy: don’t map the whole journey, just take the next step. It’s not about giant leaps; it’s about faithful motion in the right direction. The Israelites had to step into parted waters not knowing if they’d collapse. Courage meant motion. Many people miss life’s call because they wait too long for clarity. But God often meets us once we move.
Envision God’s Presence
While we no longer see a pillar of fire or cloud like the Israelites did, Rule seven reminds us that God’s presence is still near. Through drawing close in prayer, imagining Him walking beside us, and recognizing that every space can be holy ground, we grow our awareness of His presence. This changes how we face struggles—God beside us brings courage.
Trust in God’s Unique Deliverance
Rule eight is a powerful reminder: God delivers us in His own way. No two miracles look the same. Whether healing with mud, manna from heaven, or even through martyrdom like John the Baptist, God’s deliverance isn’t predictable. But it is personal. Our job is to trust even when the outcome doesn’t fit our expectations.
View Crisis as a Faith-Builder
Every storm has the potential to grow faith. Whether it’s losing a job or facing uncertainty, trials are tools in God’s hands to shape us for eternity. Like the disciples who were taught and then tested by storms, we are shaped through each spiritual challenge. Sometimes, the hardest moments produce the deepest spiritual transformation.
Remember to Praise
Rule ten is about gratitude. After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they sang a song of praise. Gratitude seals our faith story and honors the One who walked us through. We can be quick to move on, quick to feel relief, but slow to thank. Praise anchors us and acknowledges God’s faithful hand in every victory.
Application: What You Can Do Today
So, what’s your Red Sea moment? What fear, hardship, or dead end are you facing? The invitation here is not to solve everything at once—but to do one thing today that moves you away from fear and toward trust. Take the next right step. Stop looking at the bear. Focus forward. Pray, stay calm, sense God’s presence, trust His unique way, and always remember to praise.
Conclusion: Small Steps with God
The journey through the Red Sea wasn’t a sprint. It was step by step, each one an act of faith. That’s how we move through hardship—not with control or perfection, but with trust and tiny steps. As Robert J. Morgan and the podcast host remind us, God walks with us. The outcome might not always be what we expect, but the presence of God will always be what we need.