I spent part of my life running. I ran from a bad situation. I tried to hide to avoid conflict. I tried being somewhere else as much as possible. I eventually left. The next thing I knew, I found myself running again. This time I ran from loneliness. And so, the pattern had begun.
Do you ever run emotionally?
Sometimes, we cannot fix a situation. Sometimes, the best we can do is run or hide. Running takes many forms for different folks. Sometimes, it just means you choose to be somewhere else – anywhere else. That may be the best choice.
Sometimes folks run to alcohol, drugs, or even sex. Self-medicating to relieve the pain is a typical reaction. Mostly, it’s the action of a person who has not learned to lean on Jesus.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11
When I look back, I can see God’s care for me. However, all I could see at the time was that no end was in sight to my situation. All I could feel was pain, and I wanted it to stop.
Let me tell you now, God’s grace was all around me. He had His hand on the whole thing. Unfortunately, I was too busy watching what the devil was doing to really see and appreciate what God was doing.
How often do we get busy lifting up Satan – or should I say complaining about the things that are going wrong – instead of praising God for all the things that are going right? As we get caught in the traps of our adversary the devil, we often stumble. When we find ourselves shifting our attention away from God, we need to reign ourselves in and remember who is in control.
God is not unaware of our plight.
I encourage you to put your fears and needs on the altar of God. Let God work things out in His timing. Have faith that He will work things out. Keep your eyes on Him.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to stop running from issues that God will have to be the one to solve. If you need to physically run to protect yourself, that’s one thing. But, before you dive into a bottle, self-medicate, or run in some other way to keep from facing reality, take the matter to God. Renew your faith, and trust in Him. He really does care for you.
Ignore the devil, and pay attention to the small ways that God provides during a crisis. You will only notice those when you fix your eyes firmly on Him.