Retreating

Emma Knight
Jul 10, 2017 · 2 min read

An army retreats when they withdraw from enemy forces as a result of their superior power. They turn back defeated. An individual retreats when they change their mind or plans as a result of criticism or difficulty. They run away and take for the hills.

When life gets tough, when plans get changed and life seems to be out of control our instinct is to retreat. Hide away, recoil, pull back and don’t look back. It’s part of our human nature, this fight or flight instinct and we seek to protect ourselves by doing this. Yet this kind of retreating leaves us defeated and alone. We despair at our situation and become weary and hopeless of any change. By retreating in on ourselves we blind ourselves from the goodness that still remains and wonder at how we ever stood on the front line of the battleground in the first place.

I retreated recently. Twice actually. I retreated in on myself for self protection then I retreated outwardly for self reflection.

An individual retreats when they find a place of refuge and for a time of meditation. Whenever life seems to get a bit tricky I find myself gravitating to spaces in nature where I can gain perspective and think a little clearer. I run for the hills. In among the tall trees and the open fields I can pause and just be. I can pray through my problems, be reminded of God’s goodness and feel free.

This quote by John Muir beautifully summarises the human need for time out in nature:

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

I’m learning to retreat away from insecurities, comparison and believing my feelings have the ultimate say over my life. Instead I’m choosing to retreat into my identity as a child of God who is more loved than I could ever know, completely accepted and with an infinite source of grace and forgiveness to drink from. I’m retreating from worry and fear and retreating into faith and freedom.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. -Psalm 23

EmmaRoseWrites

Living Loved- Embracing Grace- Keeping the Faith.

Emma Knight

Written by

Living Loved- Embracing Grace- Keeping the Faith.

EmmaRoseWrites

Living Loved- Embracing Grace- Keeping the Faith.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade