Which Way Are You Running? Part I

Nathan Talbot is a welcomed guest blogger on Walk Wisely. Today's post is another contribution from him and we say a great big thank you for his wise words.

4) I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. 5) Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6) This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. 7) The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and He delivers them. 8) Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Ps. 34: 4-8 (NIV)

Are you dealing with a tough situation in your life? Are you suffering patiently through something that is very painful, something you don’t understand, something you didn’t deserve? God wants to rescue you. He wants to be there for you in your time of need. He wants to give you peace, and comfort. He is willing, He is able, but we have to take the first step. We have to run to Him. Which way are you running?

I know in my own life that when painful things have come up I have run in all sorts of directions and failed to run in the one direction I should. There are many reasons for this. Sometimes I think I am big enough, or smart enough, to handle it on my own. Sometimes I think I can just overcome it with busyness, or with the right attitude. To be honest when the most painful things I have had to deal with have come up, I have thought to myself, “How can God give me a peace right now, this hurts too much? I just don’t see how He can do anything for me in this exact moment and time.”

I am here to tell you that each and every time I fully surrendered to Him and entered into His presence he has been right there to lift me up. Isiah 26:3 tells us that He will give perfect peace to those who trust in Him. God wants us to run to Him and trust Him. He doesn’t want us to deal with these things on our own. Jesus laid down His life that we might have a RELATIONSHIP with Him. When I remind myself of this I realize just how much He cares for me. He has shed His blood for me and offered Himself as a sacrifice for me. He is pursuing me with a love I can not humanly comprehend. He wants me to run to Him with every need and certainly when I am in pain.

It is not always easy to stop dwelling on the hurt long enough to truly surrender to Him and enter into His presence with a heart of thanksgiving and an attitude of trust, but if you are willing to take that first step He will honor His word and will bring comfort in the midst of any storm you may be facing. I encourage you to get off the treadmill of your own strength, and run to Him. He is waiting to lift you up, to wrap his arms around you and cover you in His love.