What’s wrong with escaping from my problems and pressures?

Luke 21:34-36“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

God wants us to be “alert at all times,” so we will be ready to face adversity and able to serve him. Dulling our senses or using other means to escape may feel good and seem to work for a while, but we can become addicted and virtually useless in advancing Christ’s kingdom.

Romans 14:12-13Each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

We need to fulfill our God-assigned responsibilities.

1 Peter 5:8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

We need to be alert and ready to meet opposition and to serve our Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:12You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.

We may not see anything wrong with becoming involved in certain enjoyable activities, but we should be careful because they can enslave us—even positive, good, temporary escapes, such as sports, entertainment, fitness, social media, and food. If we’re not careful, we can become addicted and ignore our responsibilities to God, family, church, and more.