Why we run away...

Genesis 27:41 Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran 44 and stay with him a while, until your brother's fury turns away— 45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. 
Jacob and his mother had tricked his father, stealing away his blessing on Esau. They succeeded in getting their way, but things ended up with Jacob going away.  That's what happens often in the church. People push to get their way, then, when they have it, end up drifting or running away.  In fact, it would not be long till Esau disappointed his parents and he went away.  In reality, Jacob did not have to leave under such circumstances; he left based on fears, not faith. Thankfully Jacob eventually came back, something many church-leavers do not do.  Why do people run? An unwillingness to deal with shame and guilt, or the stress they have in relationships with someone else in the "family."  The result is that it takes us longer to grow up the way God wants us to, and we miss out on many of the family blessings we would have had if we had stayed.  Stop and think before you leave: "Am I just running way? What could God do if I stay?"