Understanding the importance of silence and solitude

Rob Streetman Oct. 12, 2019

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The costs associated with our investment in worldly attractions and entertainments are astronomical. How do we justify the distractions which steal away the time and energy we could use to invest in our relationship with God and the advancement of His kingdom? It is not that He needs us or our help; He simply wants to spend time with us, for our good and the good of those we love.

It would probably sadden our hearts to know the opportunities we have missed to know Him more through the practice of being in His presence. Typically, when we need to rest our minds there are worldly things to do literally at our fingertips. However, God has given us a spiritual discipline for true rest and peace called solitude.

Essentially, solitude is resting our minds in God. Like all disciplines, solitude involves commitment and practice. Once developed, it requires little effort. It can eventually become a continual mental attitude. The peace of God that transcends all understanding, once developed in our prayer closet, goes with us into the world (Philippians 4:7).

Most Christians (myself included) struggle with solitude simply because they can’t quiet their minds long enough to communicate, much less commune with God. Graciously, God has given us the method by which we may quiet our minds. We do so by taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). While this is perhaps easier said (or written) than done, it is not a complicated practice. I can personally testify to God’s blessing in its exercise.

Taking thoughts captive

Here is how it works. When someone attempts to quiet themselves before God and perceive what seems to be an “alien thought,” they should not try to push it out of their mind. They should take it captive and ask Jesus what He would have them do with it. Then, by His authority, they should do what He says. If He tells them to put it away, they will find it more often stays away. They might also discover that He has some purpose for what initially seemed “alien.” Indeed, the thought becomes a point of conversation.

Over time, this discipline empowers our mind to filter on its own, and we find the quiet more rapidly and for longer periods of time. Practicing this at the beginning of the day will have an additional and very exciting effect. 

We may eventually discover having a supernatural ability to sort through intruding thoughts during the most chaotic parts of our day. This is proof that our minds are being renewed!

There is one additional consideration with this discipline. Most of the prayer that has been modeled for us consists of our talking to God. This is good when practiced in moderation. However, to be quiet, we must discipline ourselves to stop talking (forgive me, but stating the obvious is sometimes necessary). God speaks to those who are attentive and responsive. It is best to speak after being spoken to.

Defeating our enemies

Victory in this area requires that we first recognize the world’s offering of several drugs which simulate the effect of God’s rest and peace. The most prominent ones are TV and the Internet. One might argue that these are two of the most highly addictive drugs known to man. Don’t believe me? Try stopping them cold turkey and see how your mind protests. Go ahead, I double-dog dare you. 

Furthermore, we must be wary of our excuse-making, blame-shifting and compromising carnal mind. We must force ourselves to consciously consider whether we would rather spend time with God or watch a baseball game, movie, vlog, etc. 

Could we make a better investment of our time and attention outside our favorite radio station, social media platform, or YouTube channel? I have found this to be true beyond anything I could have imagined.

Lastly, we must not fall prey to our carnal mind’s deception regarding our deliverance from the world’s addictive attractions and entertainments. It will say, “That’s just too difficult for you. It’s really not that important.” Like Satan, our carnal mind uses a little truth to hide the whole truth. Hopefully, we know better.

We know that all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27) and He will meet us in our desire to find Him (Matthew 7:8). We know finding Him is the most important thing we can do (John 17:3). We know that the first step is a simple one: Surrender, commit our way to Him, trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass (Psalm 37:4-5).

Let God know you are committed to the process. From there, He will draw you away from the things of this world just to be with Him.

Photo source: istock 

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Rob Streetman serves the body of Christ as President of two parachurch ministries: inLight Consulting (a workplace transformation ministry) and 2:2 Collective (a unity and church growth ministry). He is the author of two books: The Map Maker and A Storm is Coming. Rob’s heart desires is to encourage, edify and equip Christian leaders as disciple-makers and transformation agents—that they would become houses that stand in the storms of this life. He previously worked in various IT industry positions. Learn More »

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