Chasing Your Future by Confronting Your Past – Pt 2 | Enjoying Everyday Life | Joyce Meyer
Stop Running: Finding Freedom by Facing Your Past | Joyce Meyer
We all carry things from our past—pain, fear, regrets, even shame. But the truth is, you cannot step into the future God has for you if you keep running from what He’s asking you to face. Joyce Meyer shares that confronting the wounds of yesterday is the very thing that sets us free to live the life God designed.
In Scripture, we see people who ran. Moses ran, Hagar ran, Elijah ran, Jonah ran. Each of them had to come face to face with God before they could move forward. Elijah hid in despair until God asked him, “What are you doing here?” Jonah ran the opposite direction of God’s will and ended up in the belly of a fish until he finally surrendered. Their stories remind us of this unshakable truth—running doesn’t erase the problem, it only delays healing.
Joyce is open about her own story. She had to confront the deep pain of abuse from her past, as well as painful relationships and rejection. She explains that confronting doesn’t always mean sitting face-to-face with the one who hurt you—it may simply mean acknowledging your pain, telling a trusted friend, or finally being honest with God about what happened. Avoidance only multiplies the damage. Facing it is where freedom begins.
Excuses are another way we run. “I’m too busy.” “I have a family.” “I’m too old.” “I’ve been hurt before.” Joyce reminds us that no excuse holds weight before God. Everyone has responsibilities, but everyone also has a calling. Running from that calling, whether through busyness, fear, or denial, only keeps us trapped.
Her own mother’s story illustrates the cost of avoiding pain. Out of fear, her mother refused to confront abuse, and the weight of running destroyed her health and peace. Joyce shows that the longer we hide, the more brokenness grows. But the moment we face the truth, God’s grace meets us there.
Even Jesus was led into the wilderness to face the enemy. David had to face Goliath before he could wear the crown. Likewise, each of us must confront the giants in our lives. You cannot conquer what you keep running from.
Joyce’s message is clear: stop hiding in excuses, busyness, or fear. Healing may hurt at first, but it is the pathway to freedom. Whatever door God is asking you to open, don’t run from it—because the same God who leads you there will walk you through to victory.
And when rejection tries to convince you that you’re unwanted, remember this: people may reject you, but God never will. He created you, He chose you, and His love is unshakable.