Journey into Lightl

I have observed this past week several examples of the stupidity of running away from our problems. I have observed how our political leaders ran from their problems of balancing budgets and created our astronomical debt.

I also reflected on how some church leaders ran from their problems of holding one of their own responsible over several years, which led to the church becoming unhealthy.

And I have also observed in my own life how I have run from the pain of learning how to market a book, which will probably lead to the failure of future books I write.

Why We Do It

So, why do we to run from our problems?

The short answer is to avoid pain.

We also think that just because we don’t suffer right away, we will not suffer. But God promised that we would reap what we sow (Galatians 6:8). The consequences of our running away often don’t fully overtake us until years later.

We also tend to find ways around our problems that seem to get us a less painful resolution than facing the problem. This week I realized that running away from facing some fears I have will only result in experiencing them in body pains. I decided it wasn’t worth it and am now facing my fears.

Another reason we run away is that we are prone to being fooled. Why else would otherwise intelligent people fall down and worship a block of wood? (Isaiah 44:19). They were running away from their need to worship God.

We also want to hang onto the perks of running from our problems. We fail to rely on the truth that, “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he is crooked though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6). We run away from losing our perks.

Why Not Do It

So, why not run away from our problems?

Because running away doesn’t work in the long run. “God will bring every act to judgment, everything that is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Eventually, we will suffer the consequences of running away.

Also, running from our problems is not taking responsible action. God promises us that with his help we can successfully act responsiblibly in every situation. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). We don’t have to run away.

Another reason we should not run away is that often our problems grow worse. The debt, the unhealthiness of a community, and the pain in the long run often grows worse when we run away from facing them today.

May we all ask God to “teach us to number our days that we may present to him a heart of wisdom “ (Psalm 90:12) that faces our problems with his help and not runs away from them.

May we not be shortsighted and do what is comfortable today and fail to see the long-term consequences of running away.