Why is it that when we are going through a rough time that our first response is to stay away from the Church and avoid people of God? We always seem to run. We run from God and we run from each other. It is a fact, that when things are going bad we isolate ourselves and start a private pity party or we complain constantly and get angry with God and the rest of the world. People have been running from God since the days of Adam and Eve. They sinned, ran and hid.

God never allows more to happen to us than we are capable of handling. God is not sadistic and He takes no pleasure in watching us squirm.

Listen to Paul’s reply:
If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. 13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. 1 Cor. 10:12 through 1 Cor. 10:13 (NLT)

When we sin God commands us to confess and repent of our sins. (1 John 1:9; Psalms 51) When we confess our sins to Him, He immediately forgives us (i.e. sends our sins away forever) and cleanses us from any residual guilt!

Consider the following passages:
25 And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
Eph. 5:25 through Eph. 5:27 (NLT)

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psa. 103:12 (NKJV)

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep me from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psa. 19:12 through Psa. 19:14 (NLT)

8 You spread out our sins before you—
our secret sins—and you see them all.
Psa. 90:8 (NLT)

25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins.  Isa. 43:25 (NKJV)
25 “I—yes, I alone—am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.
Isa. 43:25 (NLT)

18 Who is a God like You,
Pardoning iniquity
And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in mercy.
19 He will again have compassion on us,
And will subdue our iniquities.
You will cast all our sins
Into the depths of the sea.
Mic. 7:18 through Mic. 7:19 (NKJV)

Please remember that God truly loves us and always wants to fellowship with us. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. If things are rough right now in your life, run to Jesus, don’t run away! He is here to help you and so are His People.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb.4:16