When Fear Meets Faith

 

I've come to the conclusion that I'm not selfish, spoiled, or wrong for going on a well-planned, much-needed personal retreat to Anchorage, Alaska. After all, I worked a second gig at school and put money aside for this. In addition, my husband was all for it, and I am a human in dire need of some time alone to think straight and regroup so I can come back to my family, a much better person than when I left. 

So far on this trip, I'm learning that my body has limitations in which I need to make boundaries. I need food, sleep, exercise, and contact with friends and family in order to function well, especially when traveling with myself. Yes, I planned a personal retreat for just me and the Lord, but I realized even Jesus needed his friends when he was out of His comfort zone and feeling afraid.

I've learned my body needs a consistent diet of sleep, healthy food (with occasional unhealthy food for fun), and exercise. Period. I won't go into the details of how sick I felt after traveling 17 hours in airplanes and waiting for airplanes but let's just say I now have greater convictions for saying "no" to how much travel I can do in one day and how much time I can listen to someone talk about themselves on an airplane without getting some shuteye.

Yes, if you want to travel to unchartered territories so you can experience the breathtaking views of\ God's creations and unique and unusual interactions with others it will require great faith in the midst of sometimes great anxiety. At least for me, anyway.  After the initial fear subsides and the exhilaration and subsequent rejuvenation are experienced, it is well worth it in the end.