Verses for When You Need to Stop Running from What God Told You to Do | 5-Minute Bible Study

Jessica Frazier
Oct 18
2 min read

Updated: Nov 19

Quote by Jessica Frazier Bible Time for Busy Women

Do you believe that there's a difference between not knowing what God wants and knowing — but avoiding it? Every one of us woman of faith has had that tug-of-war moment where God said, “Do this,” and your heart said, “Not right now.” You tell yourself you’ll pray about it again, wait for a clearer sign, or handle it later.

But delayed obedience is still disobedience. Some of us aren’t waiting on God, we’re running from Him. And running doesn’t always mean rebellion; sometimes it looks like hesitation, excuses, or fear dressed up as wisdom.

I hope that you'll understand this: what God commands, He equips. The call may stretch you, but it will not destroy you.

Today in my writing, I put together a short list of verses to guide you when you need to stop running and start obeying what God already told you to do:

But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord...
-Jonah 1:3
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
-James 4:17
For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. -Philippians 2:13

Jonah wasn’t confused. He was called, but he ran. It wasn't because he didn’t love God, but because obedience felt too costly. That’s where many of us live: halfway between surrender and self-preservation. We want God’s favor without the fight of faith. We want His blessing without the burden of responsibility.

But God doesn’t chase us to punish us; He pursues us to bring us back into alignment. You can’t walk in peace while running from your purpose. And you’ll never find rest outside His will, even if the ship you boarded looks calm now.

Has God been pressing something on your heart? To speak up, to forgive, to leave, to start, or to surrender? Do it. Stop analyzing what obedience will cost and start considering what disobedience already has.

Every time you resist, you delay what’s meant to transform you.

God isn’t asking you to be ready; He’s asking you to be willing. His power meets you when you say yes, not when you live in hesitation.

Don’t spend another season running from what God has already anointed you to do. Turn around. Obey quickly. Move in faith. You can’t carry out divine purpose while clinging to your comfort zone. It’s time to trust that what He’s calling you to will also cover you.

My Takeaways for You

Open your Bible and let these questions draw you deeper into the Word today:

What does Jonah’s decision teach you about the dangers of avoiding God’s instructions?
How does this verse redefine what disobedience really looks like in daily life?
What does it mean that God works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure? How does this truth give you courage to obey?

Blessings,