By Darlene L. Turner @darlenelturner

Do you ever feel like a zapped battery in need of recharging? Your deadlines are mounting and the clock is ticking? Are there times when you want to run away from everything and everybody? I have. And guess what?

Jesus did too.

He went to the mountain to pray.

Jesus spent hours healing the sick and teaching in the synagogue. I’m sure his energy was depleted, so He headed to the mountain to recharge. He used the time to pray and make decisions. He chose the twelve apostles. What a great example He is to us!

Do you have a pending deadline that has you stressed out? Edits are piling up? Or maybe your story is stuck and you don’t know where to take your characters next. When this happens, we need to take time to stop and pray. Do our devotions. When we do, it will give us a chance to collect our thoughts and recharge. 

Jesus went to a place of solitude at daybreak.

At sunset, the people brought all who were sick to be healed. Jesus needed to find a place to be alone. I’m sure He was exhausted, so at sunrise He went to be by Himself.

Sometimes God uses the early hours to put things into perspective after a night of rest. Or perhaps your quiet time is late at night. Whenever it is, be sure to schedule it. Your brain needs that break in more ways than one. To just recharge or perhaps help you with your story. There are times we need to take a moment for ourselves and turn our minds off. Refocus. 

Jesus got in a boat and crossed the river.

Maybe you have so much on the go that you feel like you’re going in circles. Everything feels urgent and you lose perspective. It’s time to take a retreat and go away. Writer’s retreats are a great way to brainstorm a new story idea or to just unwind after finishing a book. Rejuvenate. Do it! You won’t regret it.

Jesus took time to be with his disciples.

There are times to unwind. Too much work isn’t good for us. We need to relax and enjoy life. Schedule a family outing, go to the movies, plan a winter activity, etc. Call a friend you haven’t seen in a while and ask them to go for coffee. Shut the brain off and have some good ole fashioned fun!

There are times we have to stop. Jesus did. Why do we find it so hard to follow His example? 

We need to run to Him to recharge our batteries. He’s our power source.

When we do, everything else will fall into place.

What do you do to relax and re-energize from all those deadlines? Got any secrets? Please share!

Darlene L. Turner’s love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

Darlene won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense twice and an ACFW Genesis award. She’s represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Her debut book, Border Breach, released in April, 2020 with Love Inspired Suspense. She has two books releasing in 2021: Abducted in Alaska (March) and Lethal Cover-Up (August).

Darlene met her husband Jeff at the turtle races in Ontario, Canada. She loves flavored coffee and plaid shirts. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.