I Ran from What God Told Me
- Royanna Turner
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
There’s a part of my story I don’t often share—not because it’s too painful, but because it’s still unfolding. Still teaching me. Still shaping the woman I’m becoming. But I feel led to write this now, not just for me, but for the woman reading this and knowing exactly what it feels like to be called… and still choose to run.
I'll be honest: I just didn’t want to do what God told me. I immediately told him NO.
I wasn’t out here living reckless or rebellious. I loved God. I prayed. I went to church. I even served. But deep in my spirit, there was something specific He asked me to do—and I didn’t want to do it. I pretended I didn’t hear Him. I delayed with distractions. I told myself I needed more confirmation. I kept praying around the subject but never truly about it.
Why? Because what He asked required more than I was willing to give.
It meant surrendering control.
It meant trusting His voice over my own understanding.
It meant opening my heart to uncertainty—and potentially, heartbreak.
It meant risking my pride, my comfort, and the neatly curated version of life I had built.
And so I ran.
I ran by drowning myself in busyness. I threw myself into other projects, poured into other people, and stayed constantly productive—but spiritually, I was stagnant. I was Jonah in a storm, trying to sleep it off. I thought if I could stay ahead of the conviction, maybe it would go away. But the tug only grew stronger.
What I didn’t realize then was this: delayed obedience is still disobedience.
God wasn’t trying to punish me. He wasn’t trying to trap me. He was trying to prepare me. He was trying to protect me. He was inviting me into a place of deeper intimacy with Him—but I was too afraid of the unknown to accept the invitation.
Eventually, I hit a wall.
The running no longer brought peace. The distractions didn’t satisfy. The conviction wouldn’t let up. And in the middle of one quiet night—when I had finally run out of excuses—I broke. I wept. I repented. And I told God, “If You’re still willing… I’ll do it. I give you my yes.”
And just like that, I stopped running away from God and started running with Him.
Not because everything became easy or crystal clear—but because I realized I couldn’t outrun the One who loves me most. The same God who gave the instruction had already factored in my hesitation, my fear, and even my doubt. He wasn’t looking for perfection. He was looking for surrender.
And as I began to walk in obedience—even with trembling steps—I found something I didn’t expect: peace.
Real peace.
Not the kind that comes from knowing all the details, but the kind that comes from knowing the One who holds them.
So, sis… if you're running—stop.
If you’ve been avoiding what God told you because it’s uncomfortable, scary, or unclear, I want you to know this: He’s still there. Still calling. Still covering. He hasn't changed His mind about you or the promise.
Whatever He’s told you—whether it’s to forgive someone, end a relationship, start a ministry, write the book, apply for the job, move cities, or simply be still—trust Him. You don’t have to have the strength for the whole journey. Just enough faith to take the next step.
Because somebody’s breakthrough is waiting on your obedience.
Your children. Your community. Your future. Your own healing. They're all tied to the moment you stop running and say yes.
And when you do, I promise—He’ll meet you right there.
Reflection Questions:
What has God told you that you’ve been hesitant to obey?
What fears are keeping you from fully surrendering?
Who or what might be impacted by your obedience?
Need someone to pray with you?
The Well Watered Women community is here to lift you up in faith. Submit a prayer request, connect with us in the comments, or join our next W3 gathering. You are never alone in this journey.
Comments