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~~ If you want to go on a solo retreat
but don’t know
how to get started, go to my
website to get some tips.
On the front page click on “Retreat”.
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My husband is off to a much needed Men’s Retreat
this weekend so the topic of retreat has been on our minds this week. I wondered last night, “What does God think about retreats?” I
know we enjoy them but is there a higher level of use God implores when “we
decide” to retreat? As I do a lot, I started with the definition of the word retreat
as detailed above. Some of the words I expected to see but others were a surprise.
An asylum? Withdrawal from an enemy? I was
raised in a Christian home and going on retreats was common place. I’d always
thought of a retreat in the most positive sense and those two strange
definitions didn’t sit well with me. But then I opened God’s Word. Always faithful… God revealed His mysteries.
When the
enemy advances, taking a step back can actually be an advantage. Backing up to
regroup, gain strength and even get some reinforcement will win the war. Satan wants us to be focused on the confusion
of today’s struggle so we get weak and give up the victory. God wants us to
focus on Him and relax.
"Listen…This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2nd Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)
But God doesn’t
stop there – Retreating to push the pause button and be reminded of the bigger
picture, as well as our small part, should be where we concentrate our efforts.
“The horse is prepared for the day of
battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD” Proverbs 21:31
If this is
where you are; enemy advancing - take a break and use this verse to
pray:
** O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising
against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But
you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I
cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for you O Lord
sustained me.... Psalm 3:1-8. ** The enemy also wages war in our minds. A battle not seen by others but fought internally. It can make every part of us sick and weak. Because no one can see it and it’s hard to put into words we can be made to feel “insane” or even label ourselves “crazy”. We’re not. But we do need help. If only there was a special type of hospital we could go to where they treat this type of problem…. Well, definition 4 above, fulfills this hope. Yes, the hope of an asylum retreat. A safe place to retire into seclusion for a private session with God. The number one place the enemy really wants to capture is our minds. He know this is where we first reason, trust and then believe. If he can get us here – he’s got us. But God has a fix for that. Retreat and saturate your mind with the mind of Christ. Go into His protection to cure the illness of fear and torment.
If this is
where you are; feeling unstable - take a break and use this verse to
pray:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will
abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Today I say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my
fortress, my God, in whom I trust. For You deliver me from the snare of the
fowler and from the deadly pestilence. You will cover me with confinement, and
under your wings I find refuge; Your faithfulness is a shield and a buckle
around me. I will no longer fear the terror of the night, nor the annoying arrows
that fly by day.” Psalm 91:1-16 ESV.**
Plan a retreat – He’s waiting to meet you there. Even though we typically go in groups, retreats are personal. It doesn’t have to be an organized event at a mountain cabin either. It can be a day retreat to a great spot at the park down the street with a picnic basket. It can be trading houses with a friend for the weekend. It can be a few hours with your phone off. God is not hampered by location or time frames. He is activated when we say yes to retreating with Him.
Retreats are a time for us to step back with God and get a new plan for
moving forward. It’s a time to be cleaned and refreshed. It’s a time to have others speak of God’s
work in their lives and share our stories, struggles, and His faithfulness. It’s
a time to be “re-minded”. Meditating on God’s word with no interruptions
of our everyday lives. Some think mediation is the emptying of our minds. Not true.
It is the focusing of our minds in a purposed way. Mediation is being
mind full, not mind less. God wants our mind full of His promises, truths, and
peace.
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