This has a tendency to wear on us. It wears us down and wears us out. We find ourselves fatigued, spent, exhausted, and in need of repair. When the world presses in on us to this degree, how should we respond? What is the correct response as we try to regain a sense of balance and proportion in life?
I suggest that we withdraw. Consider the effects of withdrawal. To withdraw for a time is to be refreshed. We get to hit the reset button when we withdraw from the stresses and pressures of life. Withdrawal provides an opportunity to reflect on the things that are truly important in life and rebalance our priorities. This in turn, puts us in a better position to manage the hustle and bustle of life upon returning because we have a clearer understanding of what matters and what doesn't. We know what we can let drop and what we can't.
Withdrawal offers peace, quiet, comfort, rest, and so much more, yet we ignore the need to withdraw. We've been duped by our own false sense of strength and stamina into believing that we can keep going indefinitely. We're wrong. We can't. We need to withdraw.
"When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee." - Matthew 4:12
"When Jesus became aware of this, He withdrew from there. Huge crowds followed Him, and He healed them all." - Matthew 12:15
"When Jesus heard about it, He withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed Him on foot from the towns." - Matthew 14:13
"When Jesus left there, He withdrew to the area of Tyre and Sidon." - Matthew 15:21
"Yet Jesus often withdrew to deserted places and prayed." - Luke 5:16
"When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus all that they had done. He took them along and withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida." - Luke 9:10
"Then Jesus withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray." - Luke 22:41
"Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He withdrew again
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