Psalm 11:1 NIV84, Psalm 23:4 NIV84, Psalm 29:11 NIV84 and Psalm 46:1 NIV84

I tend to run - it's my defense mechanism. If things get tough, then "See ya" and I'm gone. I used to think it was fairly unique to me, until I started noticing all the "runners" in the Bible. Look at Jonah - he ran from God and ended up in a gigantic fish.

In the last year I've realized something, I'm tired of running. I've run this way and that way and the only thing that has ever come out of my running is pain, baggage and frustration. I never end up better for it. So I now face the pain head on. Is it easy? Nope. Do I still get the urge to run? All the time. Did the pain stop? Nope...but this way, I'm not alone. I may be headed straight into a inevitable valley, but I'm never alone in that valley. I can look to my side and see that God is right next to me. Waiting for me to reach out to him, to trust in him, to draw my strength from him, to experience the valley with him.

I still have valleys to go through - we all do. The Bible never promises we won't. But this time, the only place I'm running to is straight into the arms of God.

Psalm 11:1 - I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of God.
Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me
Psalm 29:11 - The Lord gives strength to his people
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength