 
God’s Way of Escape Is Different Than Ours—And So Much Better
Rush Witt points readers toward courageous dependence on God when life is too much When life overwhelms, it’s natural to try to get away. Escape holds a powerful allure amid hard times. In every season, a myriad of pressures, challenges, regrets, and disappointments plague our lives. These trials and tribulations often provoke us to cry, “I’ve got to get outta here!”Even though we have many good reasons for trying to escape, as Christians, we have even better reasons to depend courageously on our Savior in the ups and downs of life. I Want to Escape: Reaching for Hope When Life Is Too Much (New Growth Press/ September 26, 2022), pastor and counselor Rush Witt helps readers learn to bravely run to Christ instead of running away.“In my own life, as well as through my counseling of others, I’ve seen the natural inclination to escape. For many of us, our minds are almost immediately drawn to find an exit when difficult challenges arise,” Witt shares. “Escape plans include things like running from trouble, quitting hard relationships, turning a blind eye or cold shoulder, faking or breaking peace, numbing pain with food and drink, or the most tragic of all of all: suicide. I Want to Escape meets readers in the midst of the common desire for escape, and offers hope-filled direction on the better, Christian path.”I Want to Escape explores the reasons why we so often want to run and offers hope-filled direction to experience Jesus’s grace and mercy to comfort us. While we naturally pursue escape routes on our own terms in our own strength, God offers us true escape by reaching for his faithful care in the midst of trouble. Readers will learn to recognize the classic signs of escapism: denial, distraction, self-destruction, and thoughts of death and to instead take the path of dependence on Jesus, who remains closer than a brother, even when we’re ready to run.Witt has three goals for readers: 1) to gain a better understanding of why escape appeals to us, 2) to learn to draw near to Jesus, 3) to develop practical plans to shape our response to trouble. “Learning to go God’s way instead of our escapist ways is a lifelong project, which starts with uncovering the beliefs and desires within our hearts that drive us to escape. It might be hard to see the truth about ourselves, but how else will we change and grow?” Witt asks. “As the author of Hebrews tells us, the discipline that leads to change often seems unenjoyable in the moment. But in the end, a commitment to grow our dependence on God will yield peaceful and righteous fruit (Hebrews 12:11).”Daniel Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement, writes, “Sometimes life is just so very hard and it seems there is no relief from the pain, stress, and trouble. If you are here or know someone who is here, this wonderful little book will be a balm to your soul. Rush Witt reminds us of a comforting truth: Jesus is not only our Savior and Lord, he is also the Good Shepherd who is with us in our distress. The one who understands suffering, abandonment, loneliness, and tragedy can meet us in our deepest needs. You don’t have to carry your burden alone. These words help you hear and listen to the One who loves you.”I Want to Escape is part of the new Ask the Christian Counselor series. This series walks readers through their deepest and most profound questions. Each question is unpacked by an experienced counselor that gives readers the tools to understand their struggle and how the gospel brings hope and healing to the problem they are facing. The books are compact, offering accessible and insightful help in a concise format that won’t overwhelm the reader, but going deeper than New Growth Press’s popular minibooks.I Want to Escape: Reaching for Hope When Life Is Too Much
Ask the Christian Counselor Series
By Rush Witt
September 26, 2022 / Retail Price: $11.99
Print ISBN: 978-1-64507-275-1
RELIGION/Christian Ministry/Counseling & RecoveryAbout the Author |
