We all need to take time to chillax and enjoy life! Especially over the summer. Maybe you have a stressful or physically challenging job. Maybe you’ve got young kids and it seems like you live in the middle of a circus. Maybe you’ve been cooped up and bored and need to get out and spend more time with actual people! Whatever your situation is, we ALL need a break from time to time.
When we want to escape, there are many ways to “take the edge off” for a while. There are two sides to this coin: unhealthy and healthy.
Let’s jump right into the deep end of the pool and talk about just one example of what can be an unhealthy escape: drinking. Alcohol is often at the center of events. Beer and sports. Shots at a party. Wine at girl’s night out. If the thought of only drinking non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails at an event already makes you want to stay home…well… it’s likely time to step back and challenge yourself to look deeper about how you think about “fun” or hanging out with people. Only you know when you’ve had too much – and for some, it’s none – because one turns into six! Six turns into even more bad choices…
We don’t need to go through the rest of the list of unhealthy escapes. If you have any, you already know what they are.
Are there any saints reading this? I know I’m not one of them! The vast majority of us have dabbled, experimented, and tried things. Some have gone further. Some have become addicted. We already know inside what’s right and wrong and the difference between good and bad without Grandma standing over our shoulder. Sometimes we cross the line and do it anyway. The good news is we can stop unhealthy ways of escaping and get on a better path. How do I know? I did it myself!
If you don’t feel clean about something you’re doing, or wouldn’t want others to know about it, there’s your sign. Some of the people in your life may not be helping, as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV): “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’.” That was written about 2000 years ago, proving that human nature hasn’t changed.
On the other hand, you’ll never need to hide or regret doing the right thing!
Let’s think about that!
Instead, what if we face that unhealthy thing that’s become a habit – and break that habit? We CAN make a big girl/big boy decision and stop doing it, walk away, and not look back. Right now. Other people have – whatever it is – and you can too! If you’re a Christian, here’s a promise to claim for help:
“For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.“ Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
Wanting to escape in unhealthy ways doesn’t happen overnight. There’s a root cause or maybe more than one. You may have been a victim of something you didn’t ask for or have control over – but here you are today. You have the rest of your life to be free of it. Part of making a brave change is facing what makes us want to escape in the first place. Then we can deal with it head-on, like this:
- Decide to forgive those who have hurt you so you can heal and be free. Move on. Then set it down. Let it go. Don’t pick it up and carry it ever again.
- Stop the excuses. Replace them with the truth.
- Plead guilty and acknowledge you’ve made mistakes. We all have!
There’s so much power in doing these things. These are examples of REAL and healthy ways to escape – to freedom and peace in your life.
I’m certainly not saying this is easy at first, but you’ll see the good in your life return. You’ve made a place now that can be filled with something better one choice at a time. Keep going and watch your life become healthier and ask God for His help, which will make all the difference. Here’s what the Holy Bible says about this in Ephesians 4:22–24 (NLT):
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.”
Now instead of wanting to escape, we can call the times we need to take a break rewards and blessings. Here are some of the things I like to do. How about you?
- Go out to dinner with a friend or have a picnic
- Go to a museum and learn something new
- Enjoy a concert
- Take a hike or ride a bike
- Find a book and read it sitting in a park instead of at home
How you choose to live your life is up to you one day at a time.
RESET HIGHER: What challenge will you work on in your life instead of escaping it? Will you actually do it this time? Don’t put it off. Make a decision right now and start today. The only regret you’ll have is that you didn’t start sooner!
