Running away is basically a desire to escape an uncomfortable circumstance, feeling or threat. Although many reasons abound why people have this feeling, but fear is ultimately the primary reason.
Are you contemplating running away from your problems or have you ever thought of running away from home, your relationship/marriage or family, job, etc? If yes, pay attention! Don’t be shy to respond in the affirmative. The biblical Moses at some point in his life felt like you and ran away (Ex 22:11-15). Jesus also did. Yes he did. But listen carefully: some flights from problems are beneficial why others are not. That’s the difference! And so before you take that decision, continue reading slowly…
Cf. Matthew 4:12-23
Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled:
‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.’
From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand’…He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people.
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. Problems of the past follows to the future
Child of God when Jesus’ ministry is threatened, he sometimes withdraws from the threat to a place of relative safety. This was the situation in the gospel. When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew (ana-kho-reh’-o, Matt 4:12) to Galilee.” The verb an-akh-o-reh’-o is typically used in Matthew when there is movement from one place to another in the face of threatening circumstances.
Therefore, the gospel’s opening verse is not simply a way to mark time, but it signals that John’s arrest is a dangerous situation for Jesus, and he must choose how to respond. But time will come when he must face those threats head-on (particularly when Jesus goes to Jerusalem prior to the crucifixion), but for now Jesus pulls away in order to carry out his ministry of proclamation in and around Galilee. This proves that if you don’t solve the problems of your past they will follow you into the future.
2. Beneficial and non-beneficial flight from problems
Beneficial flight from problems is one that helps you to avoid real threats in order to gain momentum to confront the problems later. This was the kind of flight Jesus made: a flight from Herod’s threat in order to gather momentum and fulfil the purpose for his birth. Infact his flight from problems favoured the place (Capernaum) where he took refuge as he brings the light of God to them:
‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan,Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light;on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.’
And so we learn from Jesus to flee whatever threatens our lives and purpose of existence in order to gather momentum to confront it.
A non-beneficial flight from problems is that feeling to run away because you don’t want to deal with a problem you’ve caused upon yourself. A non-beneficial flight could sometimes be caused by perceived threats not real threats, like fear of rejection by your boss or from someone you love, fear of rejection by parents, friends or community. Perceived threats many times exist in the mind or thoughts and are not concrete. So acting by this trigger makes the unconscious control the conscious. If your reason for flight falls under this category then it is time for you to rethink! Running away from your problems is a race that you’ll never win. Stop running away from your problems: it’s time to face them.
TASK
Call to mind that which causes you to fear and address it squarely from its roots. Be courageous, pray and plan how to address it. That is the will of God for you. Running away from your problems prevents your physical and spiritual growth. You are not living up to your purpose because you have not been addressing and confronting your unresolved issues.
I Pray For You
May the Lord grant you the grace to confront and overcome your problems. As the word of God says:
“Turn away the reproach that I fear, for your judgement is good” (Psalm 119:39).
May the Lord remove every fears that causes you to flee in Jesus name. Amen
As the word of God says: “You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you” (Lev 26:7).
I declare, you shall overcome all your problems in Jesus name. Amen
Ottimo spunto di riflessione. Grazie.
Grazie Raffaella, Dio ti benedica sempre