It’s never a good thing when we hear or say, “They’re just running from God.” We associate this with people who are lost or have turned their back on God, not wanting to live a Christ-like lifestyle. Recently, I’ve had a different realization of that phrase — Running from God. I’m starting to realize that there is more ways to Run from God than just living an unholy life. Can you live a holy life and be Running from God? Then would you really be living as good as what you though you were?

Recently, I realized I was Running from God and I didn’t even know it. Running from God is not putting Him first. Running from God is putting your flesh (You) at most importance, instead of your spiritual walk with Christ. Who is first? You or God?

When you’re not close to God, nothing good seems to last long. Everything seems temporary in an unintentional way. We cry and wonder why we are going through the hardships in life and why we just can’t seem to find Joy in this life that God has given us. During times like this, we only see the negative. We try to find ways to fix it ourselves. We put our ways first and unintentionally put God in the back of our mind, forgetting that we should be Running to Him and not from Him.

Me, personally? I tend to get too busy worrying about everything and how I can fix it that I get too busy to put God first. I neglect the things that bring me the most Joy, then wonder where my Joy went.

“…for the Joy of the Lord is our strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

I never realized how important daily devotions are to me, until I neglected them for two weeks. Yes, I still prayed. I still took my worries to Him but yet wondered why nothing was going right.  I was not giving Him an opportunity to speak to me and encourage me and direct my paths though His word. Instead, I was too busy worrying why nothing brings me Joy anymore.

Running from God; unintentionally, and I didn’t even realize it. Just like Peter, I got my focus off the most important Factor to be focused on during a storm.

”But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid…” Matthew 14:30

Now, I’m refocusing. I’m turning myself around so I can Run to God and not from Him. Running to my devotions, desperate to hear from Him. The One who gives me Joy and strength.

”The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

”The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2

”Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2