Fleeing Even When No One Is Pursuing

An enjoyable hour during my week occurs when I meet with the Truth Therapy Group (TTG).  TTG is made up of folks who have had a difficult time “staying out of their minds”.  In our background, there have been hurtful events and/or relationships which have caused fear, anxiety, guilt, trauma, discouragement, pain, etc. Some of us still turn our attention inward “dealing” with dark issues often to the detriment of our closest relationships.  We are a complex group.  People around us have become emotionally fatigued with our “issues” that again and again receive our focus. Important relationships seldom have felt that we are “all there” when engagement occurs. Often, proactivity and desires to grow have been sapped from us. TTG has become our oasis, a safe place encouraging transparency and healing.

Two powerful verses in Proverbs describe and challenge folks who consistently stay in their minds:

• Proverbs 28:1, The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.  What a powerful statement.  Solomon challenges us to stop fleeing when no one is pursuing.  We are being deceived by our FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real).  Lies from the Deceiver and from unhealthy thought patterns deep within our minds spew out misbeliefs (untruths).  How do we stand “bold(ly) as a lion”? Daily “put on and keep on the belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:14), the first piece of our spiritual armor, fundamental to spiritual victory.  Daily, “chew” on God’s word.  “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).  John 17:17 states for us to be “made pure and holy through the teaching from (God’s) words of truth.” He wants us to stop fleeing and dig into a fruitful life by believing in Jesus Christ in the deepest levels of our minds.
• Proverbs 18:1, Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. There are tons of unhealthy people who stay in their “cave”.  From their perspective, this is the only safe space.  The results?  Because of their misbeliefs they spend their time in their caves trying to discover the answers to their dark dilemma…one lie after another being told to them inside their minds by spiritual strongholds called neural network.  GET OUT OF ISOLATION!  It is an incredibly unhealthy place.

What are the resolutions for those of us who are locked inside our minds?

1. Engage the Word of God and allow it to pierce deep into our minds.  Once the Word “penetrates” repetitively into our minds to the depth that it can reveal truth to  “thoughts and intents of our heart” (Hebrews 4:12) and obedience occurs in our hearts, we are made whole… sound and strong in the depths of our being.
2. Become a part of a recovery group. “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). 

Stop running and stop isolating yourself.  You will never grow and get strong until you do.