Editor’s Notice: Our September 2025 mini-series on the BCC Grace and Reality weblog addresses the subject of escapism. On this first article, Robert Cale presents biblical knowledge for tips on how to transfer from numbing distractions to Spirit-filled engagement with God. In different contributions to the sequence, Kyle Johnston explores the intersection of escapism and habit, drawing insights from the guide of Proverbs, and Lucy Ann Moll shares a case examine and scriptural recommendation for combating well being nervousness and avoidance.
From Hiding to Therapeutic
We stay in a world constructed for escape. Whether or not it’s countless scrolling, binge-watching, or just discovering methods to keep away from what’s arduous, our tradition presents numerous exits from discomfort. However escapism is greater than a nasty behavior—it’s a coronary heart difficulty.
I do know this firsthand. For years, I’ve battled what I name “the idol of consolation.” It usually reveals up in procrastination, avoiding arduous conversations, or retreating into leisure as an alternative of partaking with God and other people. At its core, escapism whispers, “Ease is best than obedience.”
But God’s Phrase calls us to a distinct path: “In returning and relaxation you shall be saved; in quietness and in belief shall be your energy” (Isa. 30:15). The way in which ahead isn’t escape however engagement—turning from false refuges and working to Christ.
The Anatomy of Escapism
To grasp how deeply escapism impacts our non secular lives, we have to look beneath the floor and study what’s actually happening within the coronary heart.
Escapism isn’t merely about what we run to—it’s about what we run from. We keep away from the very locations the place God intends to fulfill us with His grace. This wrestle isn’t merely behavioral; it’s rooted within the needs of the guts.
- Behaviors: Procrastination, numbing out with screens, overindulging in leisure, or habitually selecting the trail of least resistance. These habits might seem innocent, however they practice our hearts to flee from what’s spiritually formative.
- Phrases: Phrases like “I simply want a break” or “I’ll take care of it later” masks avoidance as self-care. Relaxation is biblical, however utilizing it to dodge obedience distorts a present right into a hiding place.
- Ideas: Escapism is fueled by false beliefs—pondering relaxation is a proper quite than a present to be stewarded or imagining that consolation will give the peace solely Christ gives.
- Attitudes: Over time, comfort-seeking breeds entitlement and frustration. As an alternative of seeing trials as God’s refining instruments, we resent them as interruptions to our ease.
- Feelings: Nervousness or worry of failure tempts us to run from hardship as an alternative of to Christ. Somewhat than letting trials drive us to prayer, we search for aid elsewhere.
Left unchecked, this sample doesn’t merely waste time—it reshapes our affections. Scripture warns that “the guts is deceitful above all issues” (Jer. 17:9). Escapism feeds that deceit, convincing us that consolation will heal what solely Christ’s reworking grace can redeem.
The Excessive Value of Consolation
However the hazard of escapism isn’t simply inner—it shapes our decisions and has lasting penalties on our stroll with Christ.
The lure of escapism presents the phantasm of aid, however ultimately, it solely results in bondage. What feels innocent slowly reshapes our non secular lives:
- Religious Stagnation – Avoiding trials retains us from the instruments God makes use of to develop us. James reminds us to “depend all of it pleasure” as a result of “the testing of your religion produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-4). Escaping discomfort silences short-term ache however halts long-term progress.
- Isolation from Group – Escapism thrives in secrecy. Distraction cuts us off from those that “fire up each other to like and good works” (Heb. 10:24-25). Proverbs 18:1 warns that isolation leads us to pursue egocentric needs and reject sound judgment. Biblical change occurs in fellowship, not in hiding.
- Missed Transformation – By working from discomfort, we resist the pruning hand of God. “For the second all self-discipline appears painful quite than nice, however later it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). The ache we keep away from is usually the very pathway to peace.
What we name “aid” is usually nothing greater than a non secular detour—a option to delay obedience and weaken religion. But God doesn’t go away us in that cycle. He graciously calls us to one thing much better—a lifestyle marked not by escape, however by engagement with Him.
The Name to Engagement
Jesus didn’t stay a lifetime of escape; He embraced a cross. His invitation stays clear: “If anybody would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross day by day and observe me” (Luke 9:23). True discipleship isn’t about avoiding the uncomfortable however trusting Christ sufficient to stroll by it with Him.
As an alternative of working from what is difficult, He calls us to:
- Search refuge in Christ: Solely Jesus is “our refuge and energy, a really current assist in hassle” (Ps. 46:1). Refuge in Him isn’t passive resignation however energetic belief, clinging to His guarantees when each intuition says to run.
- Substitute escape with worship: Each impulse to keep away from can develop into an invite to show to God. Scripture, prayer, and repair realign our needs and fill the vacancy that comfort-seeking can’t fulfill (Col. 3:16-17).
- Pursue group and accountability: We can’t struggle this battle alone. God has designed His church in order that “you who’re non secular ought to restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1-2). Inviting others into our wrestle usually feels uncomfortable—nevertheless it results in freedom.
Engagement requires religion. However each step out of the shadows of consolation and into the sunshine of Christ strengthens our hearts and deepens our dependence on Him.
Counseling the Escaping Coronary heart
These gospel truths not solely information our private discipleship but in addition form how we stroll with others by the identical wrestle.
For these wrestling with escapism—whether or not in private discipleship or counseling—lasting change begins within the coronary heart:
- Ask Coronary heart-Exposing Questions: “What am I working from?” “What am I trusting in additional than Christ proper now?”
- Rehearse the Gospel Day by day: Do not forget that Jesus presents true relaxation for weary hearts (Matt. 11:28-30).
- Create Redemptive Habits: Substitute escape with engagement—prayer earlier than scrolling, Scripture earlier than streaming, group earlier than isolation.
- Invite Accountability: Let trusted brothers or sisters ask arduous questions and converse grace-filled reality into your life.
Over time, these steps domesticate what I name “redemptive engagement”: selecting obedience over escape as a result of we consider God’s means is best.
Buying and selling Hiding Locations for Holy Floor
Escaping escapism isn’t about gritting our tooth—it’s about rising in give up and belief. As we stroll this path, right here’s the hope that anchors all of it:
Escapism thrives on worry, however religion thrives in give up. God doesn’t name us out of consolation to deprive us—He calls us to provide us Himself. Once we commerce escape for engagement, we discover that Jesus is best than something we go away behind.
When you’re weary from working, take braveness. Jesus isn’t calling you to consolation; He’s calling you to Himself.
Questions for Reflection
- The place are you most tempted to flee quite than interact?
- What would it not appear to be to carry that wrestle into the sunshine with God and others?
- How would possibly selecting “redemptive engagement” in a single space change your stroll with Christ this week?
