“I Think I’ll Run Away”

I have grandchildren home with us this week–eight and four years old and we’re having a ball.

Each night I get to read books. Last night I read “A Baby Sister for Frances.” It’s a delightful book about the big sister, Frances, who is feeling a little bit left out.

Everything comes to a head when she gets up in the morning and her favorite dress is not ironed and she has to eat bananas because they are out of raisins. All of this is because the little sister is taking up so much time and energy.

Here’s what Frances had to say about it: ” ‘Well,’ said Frances, ‘things are not very good around here anymore. No clothes to wear. No raisins for the oatmeal. I think maybe I’ll run away.’ ”

She does run away, but as every children’s book should, everything turns out fine.

You may feel like Frances. You may be thinking that “things are not very good around here anymore.”

You don’t have to be a child to feel that way. In fact, maybe it’s easier to feel that way as an adult. There are times when you simply feel like running away. You know those times – – when stress is out the roof and life and relationships have gotten you down, when nothing seems to work right and life seems impossible.

Running away is not the answer.

For me, running to is the only answer that makes sense. I have to admit that running away appears much easier, and many people have chosen that route.

Running to may be harder, but it always has a better outcome – – a better outcome for family, friends, and church family. A better outcome for yourself because running to means running into the arms of a loving and caring heavenly Father.

Maybe you are feeling like running away this very day. Let me encourage you to go to God in prayer, in Scripture, and with the church.

Look to Him for strength and help. Simon Peter encouraged the dispersed and persecuted church to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Each day I write a daily devotional for believers and for the church. If you would like to receive my daily look at life and Scripture, you can subscribe in the box below.


 

 

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8 Responses

  1. Running away doesn’t eliminate the problem, only prolongs it. Thanks for your guidance & wisdom. I know you & Martha are enjoying those precious grands while they’re here.

  2. Great message Pastor….
    Indeed I’m sure most feel this way at times. Running to is the correct choice.
    I listened to a 15 minute radio program for several years and the preacher’s favorite line was…
    “Flee to Christ”….. You and he gave good advice. Blessings

  3. Thanks so much for directing me to the verse in1 Peter. At times I have to ask the Lord to calm my anxiety and squash those thoughts of running away or hiding away to thoughts of resting in His great love. You made my day!

  4. It’s almost 12:45 a.m. Saturday morning. I was just about ready to close out everything on the computer. But I scrolled down just far enough to be able to read this. It was not a coincidence by any means. I had major surgery on May 25th and since then I have had one thing after another happen. I was in the hospital for 9 days and had terrible care. After I came home, I had to go back (to another hospital) because I ended up with pneumonia. I’ve had major depression/anxiety problems for over 10 years, some bi-polar issues, panic attacks, and social anxiety. I have had a very rough recovery which I have said has been a nightmare. If I had felt better, I think I would have gotten in the car and just drove somewhere. But, I have been so weak, some days I have a difficult time just walking around the house. I have the poem Footprints in the Sand on the wall and I can read that and know that I AM being carried during this difficult time. Because I have had blood clots in the past, the surgery has caused the Coumadin I’m taking to not be absorbed like it needs to be so I will be going to a Hematologist and because of the pneumonia, I will be going to a Pulmonary Specialist. Besides by parents and siblings, I don’t have a lot of support. My husband did take good care of me when I came home from the hospital, even taking that week off to help me. I know that I need to keep going towards the Lord but sometimes it is really difficult to think about running away.

    1. Susan, I want to thank you for leaving your comment, and I want to encourage for your courage to not run away. It really is easy to give up and difficult to keep going. I would like to remind you of Paul’s words (in prison) that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). I also want to encourage you to “run to” Christ. Spend time reading Scripture and resting in His presence.
      There are many people on this site who are prayer warriors. I feel certain they will lift you to the Lord in prayer. Please be assured that I will be one of those people.
      May God bless you.

    2. Susan, “one thing after another” is understood.
      You and your family are prayed for.
      Stay focused on God. Surround yourself with positive people. Ask for help. Many are willing.
      Include The Books of Psalms, Proverbs and John in your reading.
      As one of our pastors reminded me, “God is working even when we cannot see Him working”.
      Never give up.

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