Which way do "you" run?

We all make mistakes. Of course, some are bigger than others, but the fact is they are going to happen (in spite of our best efforts). What we do when we make a mistake is what's important. Do we acknowledge the mistake, repent and attempt to fix it or do we ignore it and hope that it goes away?

We may be able to get away with the second option if the mistake is small enough, say we ate a pizza during our diet, we ran out of gas when we noticed the needle was on "E", or maybe we show up at class one morning and forgot to study for a scheduled test! In each circumstance, though may be troubling at the moment, are most likely recoverable on our own. The scale will tell us the pizza was a mistake so we'll head to the gym. We had the forsight to renew our AAA coverage the prior month, so even though we'll have to wait a bit, gas is on the way. And, though we had forgotten to study for the test, we have been aceing the quizzes leading up to it, and have been paying attention in class, so we aren't completely unprepared. Mistakes of this magnitude usually turn out to be good life "lessons" more than life "changing" events.

But what happens when our mistakes are more significant. What if we get addicted to drugs or alcohol? What if we can't stop looking at online "images" that we know we shouldn't be looking at? What if, after a long love affair with our spouse, the marriage ends? Suffice it to say these are MUCH bigger mistakes. How did you deal with them? Or, should I say "have" you dealt with them? Or are you going to hope they somehow disappear?

When these (or a similarily serious mistake) arises DO NOT, under any circumstances, "run" from God. Our natural instinct is to hide ourselves in shame, probably continue the behavior, and attempt to remedy the mistake all on our own. We may have short term success but ultimately that'll fail and we'll end up feeling even worse because of the failed effort to recover. Now more than ever is the time to run towards God, as fast as you can. The best part is, because He's been pursuing you all along, you won't have far to run! Confess and then "release" this mistake onto God. There's nothing you could have done that will change His love for you. Draw Him into your fight against your addiction or to help recover from a failed relationship. God knows you're in pain, and He also knows how to start fixing things, but YOU need to trust Him. YOU need to ask Him for the help. And, most importantly, YOU need to commit your life and time to Him so He can begin His work.

​Are you ready?