Ever Feel Like Running Away?

April 1, 2002 - Sometimes it seems that troubles descend on us like a sudden storm that dumps 10 inches of rain in 24 hours. Troubles so often come in bunches or in such rapid succession that we barely have time to catch our breath between them.

by Ruth Bell Graham

We don't live on a perpetual high, and neither did the Psalmist David. He once longed for the wings of a dove so that he might fly away and be at rest.(1) We'd settle for the wings of a 747 plane—or even a Piper Cub!

In Isaiah 40:31 I discovered God's promise to us: those who "wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."(2)

So it boils down to running away or waiting. The key seems to be "waiting on the Lord."(3)

In our "instant" generation most of us don't wait easily. But we need to learn. F. B. Meyer wrote, "Prayer means not always talking to Him, but waiting before Him till the dust settles and the stream runs clear."

Jeremiah, in the most dismal of circumstances, wrote: "The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him."(4)

(1) Psalm 55:6. (2) Isaiah 40:31, KJV. (3) Cf. Isaiah 40:31. (4) Lamentations 3:25, KJV.

30 Comments

Maureen says 3.22.2013, 2:13 p.m.

I need prayer.. I grew weary and inpatient on God and ran away back 2 the world... Now I've been stuck in some addictions.. I grieved Him, and can't seem 2 find Him now... I think it's been confirmed that I rejected Him and now He won't recieve me...

Brenda says 8.26.2012, 3:47 p.m.

There have been times during a spiritual battle that my first instinct was to run. But, even in the midst of turmoil I would not turn from the Lord and He saw me through. I am glad I did not run and the Lord is my salvation.

Lu says 8.16.2012, 10:04 a.m.

God does not give a spirit of fear, but one of love, power, and a sound mind.Practice the mind of Christ. A sound mind is not a mind out of control. God tests our minds.

amanda says 8.15.2012, 4:56 p.m.

need prayer for my mom, sherri humphrey, she is going through a hard time right now, anxiety and possibly a break down, please pray for her to come around and feel better

ZA KHAR says 7.1.2012, 01:50 a.m.

"Very inspired message for me"

Jim says 5.31.2012, 06:41 a.m.

I have given up on God, or think I have. Maybe there is hope since I am reading this but I am feeling pretty lost. Thought I was saved, but now think I was wrong

Kathy says 4.18.2012, 5:56 p.m.

I am waiting for a miracle. God has already shown me He's there with me. Please pray for me and my husband to continue to be patient and trust the Lord to work things for our good. Thank you Lord for loving a sinner like me no matter what I do.

Bill says 4.6.2012, 00:59 a.m.

I think i try to hard to be accepted by Christ. I read so many books by different religions that I get confused. I think the best thing to do is walk lightly on this subject and I will get my answer.

Jean says 3.23.2012, 07:06 a.m.

I have had so many health problems in the last few years. I now know that I have to wait on the Lord instead of giving up, or just running away. I know I will just take my problems with me. So thank you for making me know I have to wait and pray.

Tammy says 2.28.2012, 10:18 p.m.

I'm hanging on to God and his Word. My sister started using alcohol and drugs again and now has lost her kids for the 3rd time. I'm devastated but God holds me in His hands of grace and mercy. She won't see her kids again. But God will prevail.

Nancy says 2.11.2012, 06:33 a.m.

I truly can relate to this. I have felt I was in a battle of my mind and it really got me angry. I have been saved a long time and I have felt like I have had one trouble after another lately. I need to fall in Jesus arms and let him guide my life

Melissa says 2.10.2012, 8:18 p.m.

I am very thankful for this message from RBG and also this web site. For helping those who are in need of fellow followers sharing support and Gods Word.

Mae says 2.10.2012, 00:31 a.m.

My brother died in July and my mother in November of 2011. I had to have knee surgery and my oldest son almost died recently. Yes, I wanted to just fly away somewhere. I'm sure Jesus felt that way too when in the garden before they arrested Him.

NANCY says 1.11.2012, 9:34 p.m.

LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD, FOR HE CARES FOR YOU. LOOK RIGHT UP AT HIM, WITHOUT PRIDE, AND POUR OUT YOUR HEART TO HIM, BE FERVENT. DETERMINED.

Jon says 1.2.2012, 12:35 a.m.

My wife recently divorced me and I am trusting and waiting on the Lord to intervene. I am choosing to stand upon His word, but it is difficult to be patient. However, I have found that when I stand upon His word, I have peace.

Diane says 12.26.2011, 7:22 p.m.

Even tho Dear Ruth is gone to be with her Lord, her words are still here to comfort us. I just lost my husband and found out I am losing my eyesight. I want to run too but where ? Only place... My Lord and to comfort. Hear me Dear Jesus.

Mary says 12.15.2011, 1:27 p.m.

I miss my husband and the life he provided for us. It only lasted 11 years. They were the best years of my 52-year-old life. I can't imagine life being any better. I'm deeply depressed and saddened every day and see no relief in sight.

TYRONE says 12.14.2011, 8:12 p.m.

I WANT TO LEARN TO WAIT ON THE LORD! AND I WILL LEARN TO WAIT! I KNOW HE IS REAL AND THAT JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OUR SINS! PRAY FOR ME ANDI WILL CONTINUE PRAYING FOR THE WORLD!

mary says 11.25.2011, 7:47 p.m.

I have found during my most trying times to praise God. It is the most difficult thing to do when you are scared, hurt, or feel like giving up. God ALWAYS, ALWAYS has come through for me and I 've learned what a privilege it is for those of us who love and believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to run to him and he will never never let us down. Never give up hope. God is in control.

Paul says 11.18.2011, 1:16 p.m.

I here the message. But my world has fallen apart and the wolves are at the door! Don't know what to do or how to wait. I love Jesus, but don't know what to wait for. I've hit bottom.... Help

Kim says 10.15.2011, 09:21 a.m.

In response to Linda's comment, with she has a hard time waiting for God...I am the same way. I have come to the realization, that it is because of my lifestyle. I have always been busy, and done things quickly. I have had to learn to slow down for my own sanity. I am learning to take a breath, and take a step back, and try to figure my next step. I also find it helps the people around me relax also. Also, with feeling sometimes like I would like to "run away", I'm with everyone else. I have felt like this many days of my life...but now realize, the issues in my life will always be there until I take that step back, breathe, then deal with them calmly. I find if I do just one thing at a time, it's not so overwhelming. It is much easier to handle. I also pray alot for the strength to help me get through each issue, and the ability to solve them. Trust me...it works.

Suellen says 10.10.2011, 06:09 a.m.

Reading this short inspirational article, has brought new light into my dull, lonely world. As I too, have sinned and have felt like running away from it all. I know it will not help me. Now, getting away for a couple of days, having some down time, to be able to put some perspective into my life, would help. Me, some fresh air, no phones.. just peace and quiet to bring some serenity back into my life. Thank you Lord for all you do for me! May You always find a way to slow me down and take my life into Your Hands to Guide me. Thank you B.G.E.A for all the wonderful things you do. God bless all of you.

Linda says 8.4.2011, 10:06 p.m.

I also have a hard time waiting for God. It seems sometimes the more I pray the more I struggle. I really don't understand. Can someone please help me with this?

Phyllis says 7.4.2011, 03:56 a.m.

Yes, everyday of my life!! After I've been Spiritual and prayed and then come down to earth, I want to run away, or should I say "fly away." I look forward to the day that Christ returns to pick up his Jewels. those that have remained faithful will go back with Him. We will be caught up to meet him in the air. When I think of running away, I soon realize there is no place to go but to Jesus. If I run away there is no guarantee that life will be any better, because I will still be there. I ask God to give me a clean heart, and today, the things I use to do, I don't do anymore. Wouldn't this report look, and sound better if I could say I have never done those things? Unfortunately, it can't happen because i would be lying. I did them. I lied, committed fornication, drank way too much, you name it, all the silly things the world consider perks, I've done them. However, I don't miss those things because all of them carry a high price, (consequence) that we surely have to pay. Yes, I want to get away, fly, fly away.....to Christ is.

Stormie says 6.21.2011, 6:38 p.m.

I can relate to you Randall. I have recently heard my spirit say one thing but my stubborn flesh says, "no you have to fight this you have to do something." I worried myself sick and it worked only to further push God's blessings further away. Sometimes children must learn the hard way.

Michael says 5.24.2011, 09:45 a.m.

I am struggling dealing with life on life's terms!

Randall says 5.22.2011, 10:14 p.m.

These words ring so true. I can say this honestly because of my present circumstance. In just a short time, things changed for me and I was confronted with a wave of troubles. Like a panicked man I reached for my bible. One of the first things I read was to wait on the Lord. I didn't and couldn't. I woke up my survival skills and started making all kinds of phone calls, reading articles, seeking advice, and wanting to try and take some sort of actions if possible. I fretted, paced, stayed up late. After several days of me hanging onto my stubborn self will i almost collapsed from exhaustion. I finally came to my senses and realized that all my efforts meant nothing to solve these problems. In fact, they could make them worse by possibly irritating the very ones who could help me. Finally, after my panic I remembered what I first read. Wait on the Lord. If God tells you to wait, just accept it on faith. If you try to take the matter into your own hands, I can't promise you the results you want.

Jean says 5.17.2011, 10:14 p.m.

It seems that life is composed of much waiting. We've been waiting for 12 yrs. for my husband to start a new industry. Along the way he's been taken advantage of financially several times. And many people made promises they didn't keep. As a result, I thought we were going to lose everything. But we didn't, thanks to my huband's planning and God's intervention. Yes, I'm learning the hard way to wait upon the Lord.

Elayn says 12.28.2010, 11:46 a.m.

This is a true blessing. OH YES, if I can learn to wait patiently on the LORD, that would be a wonderful thing. Many needs are met in the shadow of God's presence. If ONLY I could stay there long enough to have God's presence surround me like a cloud. I am so blessed by Ruth Bell Graham. Her words continue to be a powerful spiritual force in this generation.

David says 10.19.2010, 9:23 p.m.

This short little article by Ruth Bell Graham really encouraged my heart. I have always enjoyed her "to the point attitude". Thank You B.G.E.A. and may God continue to Bless you and to use you.