Solitude & Silenceნიმუში

What would you do if you had to prepare for something physically challenging, such as running a race or climbing a mountain? 🧗🏽‍♂️

You’d likely train, eat well, and ensure you’re rested, right?

Just as we can prepare our bodies for physical challenges, we can prepare and nourish our souls in seasons of spiritual hardship.

One of the best ways to do so is through solitude and silence; that’s what Jesus did.

“When Jesus heard what had happened [His cousin John the Baptist was killed], He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” – Matthew 14:13

As you learn to practice solitude and silence, you will realize that your current season and the feelings that come with it, both positive and negative, impact your time with God.

It is tempting to think that you need to “fix yourself” or “deal with your feelings” before you approach God so that your time spent in solitude and silence is more fruitful and nothing is in the way of all the spiritual things that need to happen.

The opposite is true. God desires to meet you where you’re at. If that is in grief, He will meet you there; if it is in gratitude, He will meet you there.

Take Jesus’ example: in difficult times, let your first response be to seek God in solitude and silence. Allow God to care for your soul like only He can.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Let’s continue practising:

1. Settle into a comfortable yet alert position. For example, sit down with open hands, but don’t lie down and risk falling asleep.
2. Eliminate distractions. Turn off your phone, music, etc.
3. Set a modest goal—it is harder than you think! Set a 10 or 15-minute timer to start.
4. Ask God to give you a simple prayer phrase, for example, “Here I am”. Repeat that sentence to refocus on God when your mind wanders.
5. Close with the Lord’s prayer and resist judging your time by how much you felt or experienced.

Hey! You are a Chamatkar.

Jenny Mendes

P.S. This is the final day of this plan. The texts from this reading plan come from the daily email subscription Chamatkar Every Day. If you want to receive an encouraging email in your inbox daily, I invite you to subscribe here .