Escapism: How it Affects Christians

I bet after reading this first paragraph, you will already be thinking of ways to distract yourself? Perhaps you are on your phone for that very reason: escaping whatever is going on around you.

Getting too deep am I? Don’t leave yet. I know this article might do the very opposite of what you have set out at this time of doom scrolling, but now might be the wake up call you need.

I think where the problem originates is that in today’s culture, we have too much free time.

That thought got me pondering what it was like before our world moved towards ease and efficiency. Honestly, most time was spent in survival. Preparing food, shelter, and warmth. There was no free time, nor did anyone work for it. I don’t even believe it was a concept. 

If anything, time wasn’t a thing to be filled, but something to live.

Silence was accepted and if anything, the norm. Sound and stimulation wasn’t at the push at the button, but it was found in the giggles of children, the leaves blowing in trees, the gears on a train, or the music from a lyre.

Today, silence is seen as something to fill and time: to schedule. For now it seems we live in a constant desire to escape. Whether that be our emotions, our atmosphere, or our exhaustion. We desperately crave to get away. And somehow in that, the world has taught that silence is dangerous. Why? Because it makes you face the very things you wish to escape from.

Though, what if I told you that the desire to escape is not wrong, but misplaced. Before you go back to doom scrolling or throw out all I have to say, read these verses.

Psalm 91:4: "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler".

Proverbs 18:10: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe".

Psalm 34:8: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!".

Nahum 1:7: "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him".

Psalm 62:2: "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken".

Matthew 6:6: "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you".

Mark 1:35: "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed".

Luke 5:16: “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”

It seems, the desire to escape is rooted in a God created desire to seek refuge in him. To leave the ordinary and be alone with Him in communion. Yet, it seems we tend to escape to anything but God. So what are we escaping to, and how is it only progressing the problem? 

Escapism and Entertainment

Entertainment has become a norm: may I even say an addiction. Silence is scarce while the unending amount of media circulating on platforms continues to grow. We numb our minds at the touch of a button.

Don’t hear me wrong, there is nothing inherently wrong or evil about a movie, book, or media in general. Though the endless scrolling and escaping into entertainment is where the struggle begins.

If we are always filling our minds with content, how is the Lord able to speak to us?

How can we feel rest in this restlessness?

Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God" 

God created us to find enjoyment, but in Him alone. That doesn’t come from filling our minds constantly, that comes from the quiet place with the Father.

Escapism and Fantasy

Fantasy warps your mind and speaks of lack. Imagining false realities or manufactured scenarios only breeds a desire for control. We lay awake at night anxious because we have forgotten what is true.

Trust me, I know what it’s like to fall victim to creating scenarios to escape your circumstances. Attempting to replay moments, what ifs, or even trying to conjure how best to approach future moments leaves you overthinking and dwelling on misinformation. All it does is cause anxiety, yet escaping it seems so normal. 

But does escaping to fantasy really help your situation, or does it cause confusion?

Do you ever feel satisfied from the scenarios you create?

Philippians 4:8: “ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

God has given us a sound mind and we are to think about what is true and honorable. If we are escaping to what is untrue, then we are not upholding the Word to be true. 

Escapism and Solitude

Solitude seems safe, but actually it destroys us. In moments of fear and hardship, our first reaction is to run away from people. Vulnerability becomes poisonous and the community turns deadly. We trick ourselves that we don’t need anyone, and if we did, they wouldn’t understand.

Why? Because being alone seems like less of a risk than inviting someone else into our mess. So we hide behind closed doors, escaping into a bitter loneliness that only feeds our delusions. Our solitude is the place where opportunity sours and pain deviates into falsehood.

But doesn’t solitude only make you feel more alone?

Does hiding ever give you space to one day be found?

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12: “Two are better than one,because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”

We were made for community, the moment we forsake that, we forgo how God designed us. We were made to help each other, but if we escape from the very ones who can help us, we are self sabotaging. 

True Refuge 

We are all in need of somewhere to run when life gets heavy. When we need rest and reassurance, or even just a moment to breathe. The world teaches us to escape through entertainment, fantasy, and solitude, but I want to tell you that escaping there is only numbing the issue.

But when you run and escape into the arms of the Father, you don’t run from your problems, you run your problems to God. The God who is bigger than anything you might face. With Him, you don’t forget your struggles, but you find healing. 

Psalm 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble".