Solitude is a key ingredient to sobriety.
If you don’t believe that, let me ask you a question. If you could pick one place to spend a few hours, would you pick: (a) mountain, (b) lake, (c) ocean, or (d) downtown in a large city?
If you picked (d), you’re crazy!
Jesus embraced solitude. The Bible records, “Great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16).
You need to make solitude count, using it for prayer, meditation, and spiritual connection. Otherwise, it just becomes loneliness.
Paul Tillich said it like this: “Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone.”
Recovery Step: Thomas Edison said, “The best thinking has been done in solitude.” So take the leap. Plan a focused time of solitude this week.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
