We are taught in life to prepare for storms so that when they occur, we can mitigate the damage. We buy insurance for our homes, our cars, and our lives to deal with challenges that might occur in the future by investing now. No matter how much you try to prepare for the storms of life, there are certain situations that you don’t see coming. Some situations are not only unfair, but they are unjust. I’ve learned some lessons this week, and it’s in those moments that you R.U.N.—but not like you think.
Running away is usually the first thing that we want to do when we are faced with problems that are uncomfortable. It’s a place to re-examine and collect your thoughts as you endure the challenge. For others, we want to rumble—it’s time for battle! We don’t ask questions; we are ready to get our point across by any means necessary.
Yet I would challenge you to do the following instead in the future:
R—Run to God. Realize the tactics of the enemy. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls,’” Matthew 11:28-29, NLT. It’s so easy to go to our friends and confidantes first, but God is our protector. God can provide us with wisdom, discernment, and guidance to deal with situations so that we are not responding out of our pain and hurt. Realize that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). The goal of the enemy is to steal your peace and joy, kill your purpose and hope, and destroy your destiny and your will. When you understand that the tactics do not change from the enemy, you’ll be aware when the trap shows up.
U—Understand that you should never suffer in silence. Use your voice. For some of us, when we go through pain, it’s so easy to hide and not share it with others. We put on a face for the world but behind closed doors, we are in tears trying to deal with the anxiety and feelings we are enduring. After you go to God in prayer, do not allow yourself to be held in bondage to the pain. Use your voice to share your testimony. When I shared with others what I was going through, the love and encouragement that I received was enormous. Had I stayed quiet, I would have missed solutions and support. Don’t allow the enemy to hold you hostage! Your triumph over a situation is by your testimony and God’s power! “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,” Revelation 12:11.
N—Never quit or give in. For some reason, we told this lie that when we believed in God, life would be easy. That’s so far from the truth. “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust,” Matthew 5:45. What we do know is that bad things happen to good people. It’s inevitable. Yet, it’s the way we deal with those situations that can determine our outcome. “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded,” 2 Chronicles 15:7. These situations are often distractions as God gives you greater.
So, if you have to R.U.N, run your race with fierceness and tenacity!
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize,” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
