I am a runner—I run away from pain.  The other day, my Everlasting Father asked me, “Why do you always run away from pain?  Why don’t you stay?”  It was then that I pondered the question: Why don’t I stay?  Why don’t I stay and face my pain of feeling that I am invisible…of feeling that I don’t count…of feeling that I am a mistake?

I run from pain, because I believe that it is not safe to stay.  I believe that the pain will destroy me if I stayed and faced it.

I run from pain, because I believe that it is a sin to experience feelings of shame, condemnation, abandonment, and rejection; therefore, I need to escape these as soon as possible.

I run from pain, because I believe that if I run away from it, the pain will go away all by itself…and I will be safe. But then I asked God for HIS Perspective, and He answered:

NO TEMPTATION HAS SEIZED YOU EXCEPT WHAT IS COMMON TO MAN. AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT
(1 Corinthians 10:13).

Precious Child, if you stay and face your pain, you will not be destroyed by it, since I will not allow the father-of-lies to tempt you beyond what you can bear.  Instead, I Myself will provide a way out of your pain, so that you may stand up under it.

Know that your pain is not the sin. Your pain is only the symptom of an oppressing belief from the father-of-lies that serves to convince you to run from Me, in order to prevent you from finding My Answers to his beliefs of shame, condemnation, abandonment, and rejection.   

Understand, Child, that if you run away from your pain, instead of facing it, your pain will only get worse over time and lead you farther and farther away from Me…into sin.  But, if you stay and face it, I, your Everlasting Father, will have a chance to heal your heart with My Love, Hope, and Truth.

I AM THE VINE; YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. IF A MAN REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM, HE WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT; APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING
(John 15:5).

What are the reasons YOU run away from the pain in YOUR heart?

I encourage you to bring your reasons to the Lord God, and ask Him for His Perspective. You might be surprised at His answers…or even the fact that He DOES answer.

PRAYER: Lord God, thank you that You are faithful. Thank you that You have Answers. Thank you that You have a way out of all my temptations. Help me to stay and find out what Your Answers are