When Tempted to Escape
Welcome to “Joni and Friends.” I’m Joni Eareckson Tada.
You know, when a believer is faced with suffering — I mean, really painful suffering — there’s hardly a soul who doesn’t wrestle with the overwhelming urge to flee; to run away. Whether it be from bad health, bad finances, or bad relationships; people, even Christians, search for an escape. We escape into daydreams. We escape into sleep. We escape into pain meds, or time away, or television, or the refrigerator. And a few even escape into suicide. Sometimes the strongest and most stalwart of saints, Christians, who know God well; sometimes these are the most likely candidates to be tempted.
Even a powerful prophet such as Elijah tried to escape his suffering. He literally wanted to throw in the towel. He felt he could only take so much, and he wanted to die. He wanted to escape it all. And, I mean, Elijah really knew God! He was close with the Lord. He was God’s man. And you know the story: When the wicked queen Jezebel heard through the grapevine that Elijah had destroyed hundreds of her prophets, she went after his neck. Elijah got weak-kneed and ran for his life. And he said in I Kings, 19:1-9, “I have had enough, Lord, take my life.” You can read it for yourself.
You know, circumstances may vary from person to person, but we have all been in Elijah’s shoes at one time or another. And because of that, we can draw comfort from the fact that all of us are as vulnerable as Elijah. Thankfully, God knew the emotional limits of this prophet. God remembered that Elijah was but dust, that he – like any man – had his points of weakness. God knewthat; He had great empathy for Elijah. So much so that if you look closer at how this mighty prophet surfaced out of his despair, you’ll see that it was God Himself who took Elijah in His arms and wiped away his tears.
And the good news is: the lesson of Elijah is for you. Just as surely as the angel of the Lord personally gave the prophet a sip of cool water and laid him down to rest, the Lord longs to touch your life through the people He places around you; Christian friends who genuinely care in a practical way; others who lift you up in their intercessions; and still others who are there to listen. These people represent God to you; God who, just as He did with Elijah, wants to take you in His arms, wipe away your tears, refresh and restore your soul, give you rest in Him, and set you back up on your feet. If Elijah was able to turn the corner and get back on the spiritual track, thanks to God, you can, too.
Oh friend, if you are tempted to “throw in the towel”, the Lord is the answer to your deepest longings to your most pressing needs when you face suffering. He is there; He is Emanuel, God withyou when you are hurting. Like the psalmist says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there also.” So friend, when it comes to wanting to escape, remember, there is no way you will ever escape His love. Period! So, if you are in a season of suffering right now, please contact me today at joniandfriends.org/radio because I’d like to send you a small booklet I’ve written called “When Bad Things Happen.” It’s short and simple, it’s something that you would maybe even give a child, but it’s powerful. So ask for your free copy today at joniandfriends.org/radio.
© Joni and Friends
