Ep. 335 - Why Christians Struggle With Silence and Solitude

The lost discipline of waiting on God is one that men of old deeply valued, filling their journals with reflections on solitude. Today, however, we are consumed by distraction and the fear of missing out. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar talk about how the rise of social media and smartphones has contributed to the loss of silence and solitude, which are vital to the Christian life. Silence forces us to confront our hearts—our struggles with working on salvation rather than working it out. Instead of facing our darkest thoughts, we use digital distractions as an escape. When we wait on God, we experience revival, healing, and conviction. Practicing solitude requires discipline, as our minds constantly race with thoughts, often without us realizing the noise surrounding us. True stillness is an intentional quieting of the soul before God.

Knowing God is more than knowing scripture—it’s abiding in Him. Silence invites us to see God as He sees us, to cease striving, and to recognize His presence. In Mark 6, Jesus told His disciples to step away after their missionary journey. This teaches us that spiritual strength comes from intentional rest in God’s presence. How do we practically apply this? Scripture should be incorporated into prayer. The secular world promotes mindfulness, but Christian  solitude is not about emptying the mind—it’s about filling it with God’s thoughts. The devil’s greatest weapon is busyness, distracting us from true communion with God. We often create our plans and ask God to bless them instead of waiting in silence to hear Him speak.

Our deepest yearning is to connect with the One whose image we bear. Yet, our phones keep us in a state of constant stimulation, making true solitude difficult. Practical steps to regain it include taking walks without a phone, setting screen-free times in the morning or before bed, and leaving devices behind when going into nature. This is not about emptying the mind but filling it with God’s promises. Silence before God is an opportunity to recalibrate, much like any precise measurement tool that requires alignment with a definite standard. 

How do we cultivate solitude in a world of distractions? Establish accountability, identify distractions, and reorder priorities. If entertainment takes up our time, adjust it to prioritize time with God. Applying these principles will be difficult. Our hearts remain restless until they rest in God. True solitude takes time and effort, but we must persist. The reward is a deep, abiding relationship with the Lord, free from the noise that seeks to pull us away.

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Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!
You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.
Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.

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Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
Ray Comfort
Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
Mark Spence
Oscar Navarro