Spiritual Benefits of Solitude

In this series of posts, we have been commending the spiritual discipline of solitude. We have already discussed the general benefits of solitude. We now turn our attention to the spiritual benefits.

There are several spiritual benefits…

More Better. Solitude functions as a kind of meta practice (i.e., a practice for other practices) (Whitney, 2014). Solitude allows us the freedom to pursue various other interests (Long & Averill, 2003). In this way, solitude can make other spiritual practices better.

Here are some ways solitude makes other spiritual practices more better…

More Silence. Solitude can quiet our minds… after a while. Solitude may ward off overstimulation (Long & Averill, 2003). So, solitude can function as a practical antecedent to the practice of silence.

More Slowing. Solitude often connects us to unhurriedness. Think lake house. Think cabin in the woods. The solitary places help us slow down. Indeed, their remoteness is what slows us down because we are literally disconnected from the busyness. My family has found that when we camp, time slows down. Two days camping can feel like a week off. This is the effect of getting away into solitude.

More Rest. Ortberg (2014) says: “In solitude we withdraw not so much from creation, but from the pressure of the world. We withdraw so our souls can rest in God. In solitude we remember we are not what anybody thinks of us — we are sheep tended to by the Shepherd” (p. 136). So, we rest more physically, but we also rest more, spiritually, in God.

More Repentance and Mourning. Solitude can be contrasted with mirth and partying (Jeremiah 15:17). We may walk a graveyard. Outer solitude can create (helpful) inner confrontation (VanMeter et al., 2001, p. 23).

More Freedom. Dallas Willard (1999) writes: “Solitude frees us, actually… The normal course of day-to-day human interactions locks us into patterns of feeling, thought, and action that are geared to a world set against God. Nothing but solitude can allow the development of a freedom from the ingrained behaviors that hinder our integration into God’s order” (p. 160). Echoing this, Whitney (2014) suggests it can help us regain a spiritual perspective.

More Self-Control. Whitney (2014) notes that solitude can help us control our tongue. Generally, the disciplines of denial/abstinence help us grow in self-control.

More Prayer. Solitude affords us greater time and mental space to pray. We minimize distractions when we enter solitude (Whitney, 2014).

More Biblical Insight. The quiet of solitude lets us meditate on scripture.

More Worship. All of this directs us to more worship and delight in God.

What else? I am sure you can list other practices that are made “more better” by solitude. Perhaps, journaling, thanksgiving, clarity…? Feel free to comment below.

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Okay, so I hope that’s enough to at least whet your appetite and make you interested in solitude.

In the next post, we’ll talk about the biblical credentials of solitude. After all, you might be wondering at this point if this practice is just some gimmick or if it is something truly Christian.

Bibliography

Long, C. R., & Averill, J. R. (2003). Solitude: An Exploration of Benefits of Being Alone. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 33(1), 21–44. http://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5914.00204

Ortberg, J. (2014). Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You. Zondervan.

VanMeter, J. B., McMinn, M. R., Bissell, L. D., Kaur, M., & Pressley, J. D. (2001). Solitude, silence, and the training of psychotherapists: a preliminary study. Journal of Psychology & Theology, 29(1), 22–28.

Whitney, D. S. (2014). Spiritual disciplines for the Christian life (Upd Rev edition). NavPress.

Willard, D. (1999). The spirit of the disciplines: Understanding how God changes lives. HarperOne.