Anguish of the spirit

"So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage" Exodus 6:9. 

Oppression causes our spirit to experience anguish. This is what Jewish people experienced when they were forced to labor under very severe conditions. Instead of freedom, as God spoke through Moses, they found themselves in even worse situation - they had to collect the straws for making bricks on their own, meet the quota of the day, and if they did not, they were severely beaten by the Egyptian guards. When Moses reminded them of what God has promised to do for them (set them free), they could not listen to them. Their spirits were so oppressed that the good news could not break through. 

You might be experiencing anguish of the spirit for a variety of reasons: disease, never ending battle with addiction, broken relationship, dire financial situation, and many more things that cause you to lose hope. You just can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Remember this, Jesus is your liberator, He liberates you from any spiritual, soul, physical, or any other bondage, and your anguish will end the second His light reaches you. Keep on looking at Him, praying to Him, and the oppression will end. He promised to set you free, and He will keep His promise. Hold on to this hope.