Running Away

There are many times that we believe that we cannot take the pressure of events and situations in our lives.   In that regard, I can honestly say "I know how you feel."  Years ago, traveling was my way of coping with issues in my life during some rough situations in my life.

It was March 1982, and I frequently traveled to California and during my travels I had developed a close relationship with a United States Department of  Defense parts inspector located at one of General Electric’s suppliers.  Al was a quiet man who gave me no idea that there were any major problems in his life and always had a kind word and a smile. On a Sunday in late March , I had traveled to Chicago on business.  At about 10:00 a.m. on Monday my manager called me and told me that Al had committed suicide.

How could that be?  Everything I knew about him and his Christian family never pointed to a problem.  So I took the next plane to Los Angeles and went to his home.  Carol, his wife, showed me the note he left on his dresser.  It was simple.  He wrote, “Here is some money to get you through the next few days.  The insurance will give you a good life.  Better than the one I could give you.”  That was it, nothing else!  We couldn’t understand why he didn’t just take his problems to a counselor and to the Lord.   Instead, he kept them to himself chose to take the step to end his life.

 

I stayed with the family until the next Saturday to help them with their loss, but on the flight back I realized that I had been running away from my own problems and not running to the Lord for refuge.  I had prayed many times for the Lord to take my pain away by an accident of some kind that would end my life.  There was good life insurance to take care of the family.  But I never had the guts to do what Al did.   

Today I am so glad that my request for ending my life in my early 30's was one prayer in which the Lord said, “No”. Soon after my return, I went to elders and our pastor but they only gave me their sympathy for the problems and no help.  Lastly I when to the Lord in a wide open field seeking refuge from my pain.  He welcomed me and allowed me the time I needed to deal with the issues in my life.  Now I give Him praise each day for helping me and seeing how he has blessed me beyond measure today.

There ARE times when we should run from a problem, such as those things that control us.  For some it may be an addiction and for others it can be personal issues. 

Nevertheless, our fleeing should take us to the face of the Lord who loves us more than we will ever know, and nowhere else.  If you’ve ever run away from home, you know how lonely it was, but when the Lord says, “flee”, he means for us to turn from our problems and run to Him, where healing can occur.

Replace the desire to run away and run toward the Home of our Heavenly Father.  I can't thank the Lord enough now for saying "No" to one of my prayers.  Are there any "No" prayers you are thankful for?