I Want to Escape: Reaching for Hope When Life Is Too Much (Ask the Christian Counselor)

“Bigger than a minibook, smaller than regular, just the right size to give biblical answers to common counseling questions. This book, along with others in the series, is an affordable, much-needed resource for the church community—strugglers, pastors, counselors, and other helpers.”

“God created human beings to seek and find peace in relationship with him. Sin separated us from him and destroyed that peace. Ever since the fall, mankind has sought after that peace, but we too easily settle for much less. I Want to Escape is a wonderful, concise look at how we seek relief from the trials of life through temporary pleasures and points us to what our hearts were created for: peace with God through communion with him.”

“Sometimes life is just so very hard and it seems there is no relief from the pain, stress, and trouble. If you are here or know someone who is here, this wonderful little book will be a balm to your soul. Rush Witt reminds us of a comforting truth: Jesus is not only our Savior and Lord, he is also the Good Shepherd who is with us in our distress. The one who understands suffering, abandonment, loneliness, and tragedy can meet us in our deepest needs. You don't have to carry your burden alone. These words help you hear and listen to the One who loves you.”

“Amid the many ways we wrongly escape life’s problems, God promises his way—not to escape the problems but the sins they might occasion. Reminding us that our Savior fights ‘in the foxhole’ with and for us, Rush Witt skillfully and practically outlines God’s way to face trouble: to humbly pray, freshly believe the gospel, and act boldly in dependence on him.”

“Insightful, practical, Scripture-driven, and hopeful, I Want to Escape: Reaching for Hope When Life Is Too Much provides keen observations about a pervasive problem and asks questions that draw out the reader's heart. Rush Witt repeatedly reminds us that Christ is present in our current struggles, giving us the courage to engage our troubles rather than escape them.”

“This helpful book puts flesh on a common yet easily disguised human response to life. Though we might not think of ourselves as natural 'escape artists,' Rush shows how easily the age-old urge of escapism can manifest in our present-day troubles. He then offers practical, pastoral counsel for how to exercise courageous dependence on Christ in the midst of despair and disappointment.”

“No matter who we are or what we experience, we’re all tempted toward escape to deal with the hurts and difficulties of life. In this insightful book, Rush Witt gently confronts our errant beliefs and wisely counsels our hearts to look to Jesus, the only truly safe place to hide.”

“When trials or temptations threaten, we feel the temptation to escape reality. If we follow this impulse away from God, we will only find more pain and suffering. But if we allow it to push us toward God in faith, we can trust that he will care for us. I Want to Escape provides simple, practical, gospel-centered help to courageously trust God in the face of adversity.”

“This book instructs us how to turn away from fleshly escapist responses to our troubles (which only make things worse) and to embrace wise biblical solutions (which bring hope). Realistic case examples are provided and Scripture is helpfully applied”