Running To God When Life is Hard [With Bible Verses]

Looking at the prophet Jonah’s life shows us the consequences of running from God. Jonah ran- in the opposite direction God told Him to go! No matter what excuse we give or circumstance we face, it is much better to walk with God and align ourselves to his will. When I got up today, God kept sending me verses, pins, and posts referencing running TO God. I like that thought!  Let’s dive in!

Proverbs 18:10

This verse was the first thing that caught my eye today.  It was from the CEV: “The Lord is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety.”  The description “mighty tower” gives me a word picture of strength and protection rising above everything else around it. Yes, I want to go there!

The verse says we CAN run there for safety… but do we choose God’s help in our time of need or are in trouble?

Do you RUN to God? Or do you meander in or shuffle in closer on your own time? Running implies a faster pace, a more rapid movement.  

Is God calling to you- “Hey! Pick up the pace (insert name here)!?

God has the power to protect us; we show our trust in his power by running to him when we need His help.

Turning Away from God

The second thing I read was about the things we run to INSTEAD of God when problems crop up, we face a difficult task, or have important decisions to make.  

Do we run to our friends or other people first?  Do we run to drugs or alcohol?  What activities keep us too busy running in all directions to think about our problems?  Do we spend time worrying endlessly about the problem?

I used to subscribe to the “Scarlett O’Hara” approach to problems… I ran to denial.  “I’ll think about it tomorrow,” I’d tell myself. That approach was not productive.

We run to other things because we’re scared or filled with doubt. We question God. Our trust in Him wavers.  

We get overwhelmed when difficult situations arise and we think we aren’t strong enough to handle them.  Maybe we are embarrassed or fear the suffering involved.

Do any of those things sound familiar?

God of Many Chances

We mess up. Daily. What do you do when that happens?  Do you find yourself running to God or running from Him in embarrassment or fear?

God gave many people in the Bible a second chance to make things right.  Aren’t you thankful that Jesus died for our sins so that our chances to make things right never end?  

Jesus didn’t put any restrictions on how many times He forgives us. What He desires is for us to come running to Him with a repentant heart and fall into His loving arms. 

This one used to be a hard one for me- not the repentant part, but the running into the presence of God and being able to see Him look at me with love and forgiveness. I now remind myself that I am His precious daughter, and no matter how far I run, He waits, pursues and continues to love me.

Each morning when I wake up, He showers fresh mercy and grace on me. It’s a “do-over” each day! 

 “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”  Lamentations 3:23.

Bible Verses about Running To God

Running to God comes with so many blessings!  Running to God first and holding tight to Him will bring peace into your heart.

Psalm 91:4

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” 

Matthew 11:28

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” 

1 Peter 5:7

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.“

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

This is one of my personal favorites- we are free to run into His arms at any time!

Psalm 18:30

“God’s way is perfect. All of God’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.” 

Isaiah 40:31

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Psalm 119:32

“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free!” Psalm 119:32

Running the Race of Faith

The apostle Paul uses the metaphor of running in 1 Corinthians 9:24-

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

The Christian life may take discipline and hard work, but we are running to our heavenly reward- eternal life with Jesus Christ! This is not just an aimless morning run when we feel like it or is convenient.

Our Christian journey is a long run that involves keeping our eyes on Him who will give us His power and strength.

As his life is coming to an end, Paul writes these words of encouragment to Timothy-

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:6.

Paul was prepared for his death, confident he had run a good race, and looking forward to receiving his reward from his heavenly Father. 

Are you this confident? We can be when we take the advice from the writer of Hebrews:

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1b-2.

Let us run patiently and faithfully, right up to the finish line, with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

How Do We Run to God?

We can’t physically run to God, but we can make decisions and take actions that send us into his arms:

●Choose faith in Him over fear and trust God and the plans He has for you.

●Go to Him in prayer immediately. Speak his name; call out to Him.

●In times of trouble, tell him what is on your heart- what worries you or is upsetting you. Ask him for guidance.

●He has given you the assurance of who He is through his Word. Immerse yourself in His knowledge and character. 

●Pick one (or more) of the above verses, or find favorites of your own and place them front and center where you will see them. Write in your Bible, put them on your phone, memorize them.  

●Plant His Word deeply in your heart so that when unrest and problems arise, you run to God in faith and hope, and for comfort and peace. 

●Start a journal and fill it with worship, praise, thanks, hopes, dreams, questions… the list is endless. Do this daily and watch your relationship with the Everlasting God grow into one that has you running to Him for all things!

He is waiting for you with arms open wide!

Blessings,

AnnMarie

All Scripture is taken from the NIV unless specified otherwise.

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