Like Jesus, we can find solitude even in the middle of the busy holiday season and learn to hear His divine whisper in our hearts. We can walk with God in the secret place inside of us, which is sometimes called the portable sanctuary of the heart. 

How Are Solitude and Loneliness Are Different?

First, let us explore the difference between being in solitude and experiencing loneliness. 

In Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster, it states, ‘We can cultivate an inner solitude and silence that sets us free from loneliness and fear.” Here is a quick explanation: 

• Loneliness is an inner emptiness.
• Solitude is inner fulfillment. 

Solitude is more of a state of mind and heart than it is a certain place. Foster states, “If we possess inward solitude we do not fear being alone.” We know this because we are not ever alone; our Father is always with us. Even amid a crowd, we know that can have a deep inner silence where we can commune with the Lord. Either way, we have a portable sanctuary of the heart that we carry with us through all our days so we can be in solitude with the Father wherever we are. 

Listening to God is the key to solitude. Without silence there is no solitude. Let’s think about that. We can stop talking, but that doesn’t mean we have entered solitude. Inner silence and inner solitude are inseparable. Their purpose is to be able to see and hear. Control rather than no noise is the key to silence. A person who is under the discipline of silence is one who says what they need to say when it needs to be said. 

Make Solitude a Godly Habit.

Why did Jesus make time for solitude? Jesus sought solitude to spend time with his Father. 

Do you yearn for or run from solitude? Yearn for solitude so you can find the presence of God.

How do you make enjoying solitude a Godly habit? It helps to establish a rhythm that is conducive for solitude. You might try, as I do, to make time for solitude first thing in the morning. You can put aside your earbuds, music, and the phone that is constantly with you so you can focus on your Heavenly Father. 

The motivation for enjoying solitude is not to be away from people, but rather to be quiet so we can hear the divine Whisperer- our Heavenly Father- better. This was evident in Jesus’s life when He when into the hills by himself, went to a lonely place before the sun came up, and when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The seeking out of solitary places was a regular practice for Jesus and it should be part of our lives, too. Jesus and His disciples drew away after being with people. Many of us go up on the mountain, but we don’t know how to let God prepare us for the high places and the low places of life. This is the ebb and flow of our life with Him.

Do you have a quiet day today? That is so amazing! Spend time in the inner portable sanctuary of your heart to enjoy solitude.  

Do you have a very busy day getting ready for the holidays today? That is amazing, too! Spend time in the inner portable sanctuary of your heart. 

That time in the portable sanctuary of your heart is the inward, private reality of your life with your Father. You can go with Him anywhere, at any time, with anybody, because you are not here to insulate ourselves from people. You are here to know the Father just like Jesus did, and then to be able to go and do whatever He wants you to because he never leaves you. You don’t have to leave him. You can stay and abide and remain with Him by spending moments in your inner sanctuary.

Application Questions

Here are some application questions we can ponder when we steal a few minutes of solitude: 

1. Jesus often sought solitude when His life was busy. How can we incorporate this rhythm in our own lives? 
2. What challenges do you have in finding or maintaining solitudes?
3. What are some of your concerns or fears? Sit with your Father and let Him be listen to you as you share them with Him. 

You might want to journal the answers to these questions and record what your Father impresses on you during your times of solitude. 

Action Step

During the holidays, take a few minutes each morning when you first get up to enjoy some solitude so you can hear your Father and get to know Him better.

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

P.S. What experience do you have with spending time in solitude?