Responses to Danger: Flight
On the S&S website there’s a blog article entitled: Foxholes. It’s about the choices we all have when we perceive danger. You can read it by clicking here. For the next three newsletters we will look at each of three responses, flight, freeze and then fight.
The Flight Response: Running Away
A Vietnam vet once told me that when the bullets started flying, some men abandoned their posts, leaving their brothers to fight for themselves. A few of them were never seen again. Some met worse fates, because in combat, running almost never led to safety. It only left their fellow soldiers more vulnerable.
While most of us will never be in a combat situation, we will certainly be in spiritual battles. The Bible says: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). Running away from spiritual battles often comes from fear rather than faith. And while fear may make running away feel necessary, it seldom solves the problem.
In life’s spiritual battles, flight takes many forms. Someone facing marriage struggles may decide to leave instead of working toward reconciliation. A person with conflict at work may quit rather than dealing with the issue. Some even run from God’s call—like Jonah, who boarded a ship going the opposite direction from Nineveh. But Jonah learned the hard way that fleeing didn’t remove his responsibility; it only delayed it.
In 2 Timothy, Paul wrote, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Running away rarely works. God gave us the courage, wisdom, and strength to face the battles before us.
However, sometimes flight is the best choice. For example, Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife to avoid sin (Genesis 39:12). Sometimes escape protects us from temptation or danger. But as a first response, running almost always leaves the real problem unsolved, waiting for us when we return or at our new location. And it is never good to run when it would leave our families, brothers and sisters in Christ or our neighbors in danger.
You can’t run from every battle. Eventually, God calls us to stop running, stand firm, and trust Him for victory. When in doubt, seek wise counsel (Proverbs 20:18)
S&S Pastoral can help you on your journey to realizing what God is calling you to do. We offer coaching and pastoral counseling on christian spiritual matters. Visit our website to check out our services and request an appointment. We take appointments in person and on Zoom.
Many Blessings…
