In Your Recovery, You May be UNKNOWINGLY Running Away from Jesus and Running Toward Hell

Recovery isn’t just about what you’re leaving behind, recovery is all about where you’re moving toward. Many people who escape addiction don’t realize they’re still running, just in a different direction. They’ve abandoned substances, but instead of running toward Jesus, they’re running away, filling the void with distractions, busyness, or even religious activity that lacks true surrender. I know, because there was a time after my overdose when I played in that playground too. Jesus, however, caught me quickly and lifting me back up… pointed me in His direction… and I was back on the straight and narrow.

So, I ask you to ask yourself: Am I running toward Jesus, or am I just running away from my past?

Signs You’re Running Away Instead of Running Toward Jesus

You Avoid Stillness with God
If you’re constantly busy… filling your time with work, entertainment, or even ministry, but you don’t sit quietly with God, you might even be avoiding Him. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Running to Jesus means making space in every day to truly know Him.
You Seek Distractions Instead of Healing
Replacing addiction with distractions… whether relationships, social media, or even self-improvement, can feel productive but still leaves you empty inside. Jesus doesn’t just want to remove addiction; He wants to heal the wounds that caused it.
You Cling to Control Instead of Surrendering
Are you trying to manage recovery on your own terms? Running toward Jesus means surrendering control, trusting His plan even when it’s uncomfortable. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
You Feel Like You Have to Prove Yourself
If you’re constantly striving to show others (or yourself) that you’ve changed, you might be running from shame rather than running toward grace. In Christ, you are accepted, forgiven, and made new… no acting… no effort… no performance required! It just happens! The reality of transformation is found in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says… “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

How to Stop Running Away and Start Running Toward Jesus

Invite Jesus into Your Daily Life – Not just on worship days, or in crisis moments, but in every thought, decision, and struggle.
Spend Time in His Word – Read Scripture not just for knowledge but for transformation. Eat the Bible as you do your food. The Bible is your daily ‘bread’.
Pray with Raw Honesty – Tell God your fears, doubts, and struggles. He already knows, and He welcomes you as you are.
Let Go of What’s Holding You Back – Surrender control, past mistakes, and future fears. Trust that God’s path is better than anything you could ever plan.

It’s A Choice, And The Choice is Yours

Are you just running away from addiction, or are you truly running toward the One who saves? Jesus isn’t some fake escape—He is the real deal… your destination. Stop running in circles. Run to Him.

Are you ready to make that decision right now?

Have a blessed rest of your day as you resume running toward the King of Kings… Jesus Christ. Hoping to see you in my next post. Bye for now!