I didn’t think it would be that difficult. But as the technician placed the X-ray shield over my knee, handed me the headphones, and left the room, a sense of uncertainty surrounded me like the MRI machine I was lying in. Even though my head and shoulders remained outside the tunnel, I felt trapped. My mind raced, as I discovered flight responses never before encountered. Watching the countdown clock on the upper part of the machine, I wondered if my heart and mind would quiet down or if the next few minutes would include me jumping out of the machine in a mad fit of panic.
From our perspective in history, we criticize Peter for his decision to run during Jesus’ greatest hour of need. After all, we reason, Peter had seen the miracles, he had heard Jesus’ need (Matthew 26:41), and he had promised to go with Him all the way—even to the point of death (Matthew 26:35). How could he turn and act so cowardly?
But, if we’re honest, there have been times in our lives when we’ve run when we should remain steadfast in Jesus. Far from existing as automatons, we have built-in triggers that can cause us to take flight from perceived dangerous situations. Fear is one of those powerful triggers.
Jesus invited Peter into one of the deepest mysteries of heaven: His death and resurrection (Matthew 26:27-29). Entering into a kingdom perspective, however, requires our own encounter with death. Just as Peter learned, our flight or fight instinct—the desire to save ourselves—must be surrendered at the cross (Matthew 26:39). Freedom comes when, face to face with our own inadequacies, we love Jesus more than we fear pain (John 15:13; 1 John 4:18).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 10:1-24
More:
Read Acts 4:1-31 to see Peter living out faith in Jesus and victory over fear through the power of God.
Next:
How is fear preventing you from living out what God has called you to do? What are some practical ways to fully surrender to Him and His plans?
ruth o'reilly-smith on July 31, 2013 at 1:34 am
This is huge Regina – Just the thought of enduring pain makes me want to run. I know that the only way I can make it through those guaranteed painful times (John 16:33) is to focus on Jesus who promises to help me overcome them and, given my low pain threshold, I often catch myself repeating the name of Jesus over and over again..
ehdlive on July 31, 2013 at 2:17 am
GOD’s sufficiency fills all our insufficiency and limitation. Indeed, we have nothing to brag about because of all our triggering weaknesses that may surface any moment of our lives.. Thank GOD for His grace. His power is made perfect in all our weaknesses.
mike wittmer on July 31, 2013 at 11:22 am
Thank you for sharing your story and Peter’s. As I read your last paragraph I thought, “Of course. If we have died with Christ that should end our fears for the worst has already happened. We’re dead. Now we get to live in the freedom of his resurrection!”
Terrence on July 31, 2013 at 11:34 am
Hi Regina,
Often we run away from Jesus because of pain and trails we undergo but it so cowardly thing.
We don’t think its for our goodness that Jesus want us to have better life.
winn collier on August 1, 2013 at 1:05 pm
running can be so, so easy. Hiding too, which I guess is another way of running.