Daily Devotional for Sunday August 11, 2002

Why ?Escaping? doesn?t Work

(John 16:33)

One of the common bonds that all men share are the trials and tribulations of daily life. Life?s problems cut across all national borders, ethnic backgrounds, financial standing, and gender and age. We all deal with problems in our relationships, finances at some level, and our health. We all deal with the death of friends and family. These are all common experiences we share no matter who we are. How we handle life?s problems becomes a critical key to this journey we are on. Jesus gave us the answer when He spoke to his disciples just hours before going to the cross. He told them that in this world, they would have trials and tribulations. He didn?t want them to think that just because they had a personal relationship with him, they were immune from life?s problems. Then He gave them the key, ?But take heart, I have overcome the world!!!?

So many have tried to ?escape? life?s problems with drugs, alcohol, illicit sex, gambling, working, eating, and every other way you can imagine. These are the ways that society, since the beginning of man, has tried to deal with the inevitable problems we all face during our lives. The problem is, these ?escapes? are only temporary, and when we ?come back?, not only are the initial problems still there, but usually the ways we tried to escape have caused even more problems in our life. Often, the avenues we choose to use as escape routes, end up damaging our lives more than the initial problems we were trying to escape from!

My friend, there is only one ?escape route.? That is right into the arms of our loving Savior Jesus Christ. THAT is where you will find answers, that is where you will find strength, and that is where you will find comfort in your time of need. You see, Jesus has already overcome every problem you may be facing today. When He rose on that third day, He conquered every problem world can throw at us. When He rose from the dead, He claimed victory over sin, over death, over sickness, over financial problems, and over relationship issues. Because of His Resurrection, we are ?more than conquerors through Him that loved us.? We can be victorious over anything that life sends our way because Jesus has overcome this world!

I love you and care about you so much. I pray today, that you can grasp the incredible message I have for you today. Quit looking for ways to ?escape? life?s problems. Quit trying to put off those difficult issues. Go forward in confidence, with boldness, and in the victory Christ has already won. All you do when you ?escape? is put off dealing with the initial problem, and end up compounding your problems. Rather than looking for ways to escape, look for ways to win and to overcome your problems. Christ will lead you, guide you, and show you the way. Because He has overcome the world, we can overcome the world! Because He was victorious, we are victorious! Quit trying to escape, and start living in the victory He has already won!