The Great Escapist

Please bear with me through this entry...My brain has been swimming the last week or so, and I hope I can explain clearly enough for you to see a glimpse of what God has been speaking to me...


People deal with outward pressure in many different ways. Some take it head on, some cry, some throw things and yell. I don't deal with it in any of these ways. I escape. I don't run away from my family or disappear for hours- no, I lose myself in a book, movie, daydreams or I take a nap. I have always felt this is the good way to handle things. There is no screaming, bad attitude or tears, just apathy. It seemed like such a good alternative to worry.

I have been studying the life of Abraham in scripture. We have received so many encouragements and words about us being like Abraham. I find great strength in the story, but what I wish was included is how Abraham felt. Was he scared? Did he doubt? Did he cry or ever get angry?
We know that he feared for his life, and so in doing was not trusting God when he lied to the Egyptians about Sarai being his sister. Mostly what we have to go on is facts. And scripture clearly states:

"...Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" Romans 4:3

So, it comes down to belief...trusting in God. But here is the rub...

"Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Romans 4:19-22

So, how do we do this, seemingly impossible thing? How do we 'contemplate' our circumstances without growing weak in our faith?
Which brings me back to my original point, escape. Instead of thinking about what is going on around me and praising God for what He can accomplish. I "run away" from my surroundings.

Then God confirmed this word in an unexpected way. I had been thinking about this concept and even written a paragraph about being an escapist, when I sat in on a class at 'Miracle School' which is part of Schlyce Jimenez Ministries (we met her through another student at CBC). One of the verses she brought up (and I literally laughed out loud when she said this):

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of ESCAPE also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Then, Schlyce made a point to say the next verse in context with verse 13:

"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."1 Corinthians 10:14

She said, 'Any escape you devise, other than what God has provided is idolatry'.
Um, wow. And what is the escape God has provided, you ask? The Word. To speak the Word.

Josh and I are enduring storms, and they tempt us to tuck tail and run. The enemy is trying to get us to doubt what God has said to us.

I am reminded of Jesus. After he was baptised and God made a declaration of who he was, he went into the wilderness. Jesus had no fruit of his ministry, no proof of what God had spoken. And the enemy said to him, "IF you are the Son of God..." trying to get Jesus to doubt who God said he was. But Jesus knew the way of escape, it was to speak the Word.

And even though I may have to do it through tears...I will speak the Word.