Why Are You Running?

I know you’ve been running for a while now but my question is for how long are you going to run? I know you’re going to pretend as if you don’t know what i’m talking so i came prepared. 

Do you remember the Anakims?

Ha! How could you forget so soon? Well, I’ll remind you. In Numbers 13:27-33, Moses sent twelve men to spy out the land God promised them and ten of them returned to report that they “saw descendants of Anak (Anakites) there”. This fear led to forty years of wandering in the wilderness, a consequence of their inability to face the challenge before them. They became so afraid and refused to step into a victory God has already won for them. Eventually they all grew old in fear and died not reaching their promised land. It was a really sad story!

Forty years later, in Joshua 11, Israel eventually had to confront these same giants (the Anakites) again. This time around under Joshua’s leadership and with God’s power, they finally faced the Anakim and emerged victorious. This victory was not just a military achievement but a spiritual triumph over the fear that had once held them captive. Infact, the bible says “’…Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debir and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns. No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive” (Joshua 11:21-22)

Why am I telling you this story?

Simple! Running away from our fears doesn’t make them disappear; it only delays the inevitable confrontation. We often think that avoiding what scares us will bring peace, but in reality, it only prolongs our struggle. 

The giants we face today may not be physical beings, but they are no less real – personal sinful weaknesses, unresolved conflicts, addictions, childhood trauma and abuses and many other deep-seated fears that we have nurtured are all giants looming large in our lives. Avoiding these challenges doesn’t make them disappear; instead, they often resurface, sometimes stronger and more daunting than before. We might be tempted to run away again, but the truth is that avoidance is not the answer. Instead, we must be like Joshua! With God’s help, we can confront and overcome even the most daunting challenges. By facing these issues head-on, we not only address the problem but also grow stronger in our faith, proving that God’s power is greater than any obstacle we face.

Here’s my parting word on this, it is easy to let fear dictate our actions, to allow the giants in our lives to push us into retreat. However, we are called to stand firm, just as Joshua did. The next time you are faced with a challenge you have avoided, remember that God is with you, just as He was with Joshua. Don’t let fear hold you back from the victory that God has already prepared for you. By confronting your fears with confidence in God’s power, you will not only overcome your giants but also step into the fullness of God’s promises for your life.