Withdrawing to Recharge
“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now, when evening came, He was alone there.” Matthew 14:23
As part of my healing journey, I have been focused for months on gradually coming out of the “fat suit” that I used for protection for a long time. I am at a place where I no longer need the “fat suit” to keep me safe because I have so many other tools in my toolbox. The “fat suit” was a way to cover up, insulate myself, and keep men from desiring my body, which is pretty normal for a survivor of sexual abuse. Making yourself look undesirable is a common survival strategy, even in nature. However, as I continue my journey of self-exploration around my true identity, this is one of the layers that needs to be peeled back to reveal my “true self.”
As with everything I do in this healing journey, my trainer and I are moving slowly so that my mind and body have time to adjust to the transformation without feeling exposed or unsafe. It has been tedious, and there have been times when I felt impatient with the process.
My workouts are designed in four-week increments that are increasingly more challenging until week four, which is a de-load or rest week. I lift weights three times a week and walk on non-lifting days. For this de-load week, I told my trainer that I wanted to do a little experiment. I wanted to replace the light weights/minimal reps with straight walking to see what my body does.
I admit that there was some fear and trepidation about getting off track and not being able to get started again, but I had to surrender that to the Lord. This is a journey, and coming out of my “fat suit” is going to take some time and sweat equity. There is no rush.
Every morning this week, I walked around my neighborhood in the dark of the early morning and talked to the Lord. Walking during my prayer time is one of my favorite practices…it is like spiritual EMDR.
This process reminded me so much of how Jesus would do something amazing, like feeding the five thousand and then withdraw to the mountains to pray and spend time with His Father...alone. Jesus, the perfect, incarnate God-man, needed to recharge His battery by spending time with His Father. If Jesus needed to recharge His battery, don’t we also need to recharge our batteries the same way? Scripture provides this example for us to follow.
This week has been a time of intense intercessory prayer on behalf of family, friends, coaching clients, and my community. It has been amazing to pray for people individually by name, laying my concerns for each person at His feet. Spending this time with the Lord filled my cup, recharged my spiritual battery, and energized me for the work ahead.
Those of us who serve and minister healing to others often carry the burdens for our struggling clients. Those burdens can get heavy and drain our energy, which is why it is so important for us to withdraw at times to refill our cups. We cannot pour into others from an empty cup.
Today, as I look back over the week, my soul is quiet and at peace. I have cast all my cares on the Lord, knowing He cares for me and those I care for. As for my body, I have experienced a release of the normal tension, and a sense of calm has enveloped me.
My “week off” is going to make this week’s workout pretty much suck, but it was worth it. I am strongly considering making this part of my normal rotation.
How about you? Are you taking time to withdraw from your responsibilities as a spouse, parent, worker, or helper to be alone with the Lord? How are you recharging your spiritual battery?
A Call to Recharge and Reflect
As we navigate our own healing journeys, it’s crucial to remember the importance of taking time to recharge and reflect. Here are some steps you can take to prioritize your spiritual and emotional wellbeing:
- Schedule regular “withdraw” time: Just as Jesus withdrew to pray, set aside dedicated time in your schedule for solitude and connection with your spiritual source. This could be daily, weekly, or whatever frequency works best for you.
- Experiment with different practices: Try various methods of recharging, such as prayer walks, meditation, journaling, or nature retreats. Find what resonates most with you and makes you feel truly renewed.
- Practice self-compassion: Keep in mind that healing is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.
- Assess your “protective layers”: Reflect on any emotional or physical “armor” you may have developed. Are these still serving you, or is it time to gradually let them go?
- Seek support: Consider working with a trainer, therapist, coach, or spiritual advisor who can guide you through your journey and provide accountability.
- Balance activity with rest: Incorporate regular periods of rest or “de-load” into your physical and emotional growth plans. Allow yourself time to integrate changes and recharge.
- Serve from a full cup: Before pouring into others, ensure you’re taking care of your own needs. You’ll be better equipped to help others when you’re coming from a place of abundance.
Take Action:
Choose one area from the list above and commit to implementing it this week. Whether it’s scheduling a daily 10-minute prayer walk or booking a session with a counselor, take that first step towards prioritizing your spiritual and emotional health.
Your journey of healing and growth is unique. By taking time to recharge and reflect, you’re not just benefiting yourself — you’re also better preparing yourself to be a light for others. What step will you take today to recharge your spiritual battery?
