What is a Retreat?

When we think of a retreat we most likely think of dictionary.com noun definition which is “a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax.”

This is indeed where I like to go to regroup and make a fresh start and gain perspective and relax but in order to come away with the benefit I am hoping for I need to utilize the verb definition which is to “withdraw from enemy forces as a result of their superior power or after a defeat.”

In our human frailties, life defeats us. We try to rise above the wiles of the devil and all the temptations and challenges and irritations around us but it is hard! The devil is out to steal, kill and destroy…he is cunning, baffling and powerful and when we least expect it something happens that upsets our world and we are scrambling to find sanity. We find ourselves so busy trying to keep our heads above water that we just don’t have time to “retreat” and pull it together.

If you were to ask any commander of any military branch I am sure they would tell you that there is a time to fight and a time to retreat. In order to save our own lives we need to be honest with ourselves and admit that we are losing the battle with life and we need to withdraw from the enemy forces and put on our spiritual armor before we go back in to battle again.

It doesn’t happen by osmosis. It’s a choice. We decide. Yes we have a commander telling us to do it every day. He has been trying to get us to listen since the day we were born. We know we need to admit we can’t do it on our own, that God can but do we let Him? Are we ready to let Him? How do we do that anyway? Is He going to answer our questions and fix our problems?

Well actually yes He will. And He will do it in a way that you can understand and hear IF you are willing to step outside of your little box that may have led you to believe that God only talks to other people and not you. But that is not what the Bible says. James 1-5-8 says …

⁵ If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; ^7-8 and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.

The answer then is to learn how to “retreat” and take up the armor of God before we go back into battle. Paul explained it well to the Ephesians 6 when he said
^“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, ¹⁵ and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; ¹⁶ in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. “

Are you ready to RETREAT? I have just the place to not only get away from the rat race to rest but also to learn how to do this hearing God speak thing. It is possible but it is a choice you make to decide you believe that He can and He will. To bring a retreat to your area just contact me at linda@lindalarsonschlitz.com