Part of the “Habits of a Healthy Heart” Series
“The Bathroom is Not Holy Ground”
I thought I found it—the perfect moment of peace. I was home recovering from oral surgery, the kids were out with my wife, and the house was finally quiet.
Bible? Check.
Worship music? Playing softly in the background.
My heart? Ready to meet with God.
But then—I made one fatal mistake: I brought my phone with me.
Thirty seconds in, a notification popped up. I ignored it. Victory. Then came another.
“You have a new like.”
Then a text.
Then an email.
Then the weather.
Before I knew it, I was reading a devotional… on Instagram. I was deep in the comments section arguing about theology with people I didn’t even follow.
I looked up and said, “God… I’m sorry. I came here to be alone with You. But apparently, the whole internet came too.”
Why Solitude Feels So Hard
Solitude isn’t hard because God isn’t available. It’s hard because we rarely are.
St. Teresa of Ávila said:
“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can—namely, surrender our will and fulfill God’s will—in solitude.”
Our lives are busy. Our hearts are full of noise.
But solitude is the only way we keep our hearts healthy—because a healthy heart needs space to breathe.
You’ve Got a Good Shepherd
Before we can find peace in solitude, we have to know we’re safe. Psalm 23 shows us that we can rest—because we have a Shepherd who walks with us:
“He lets me rest in green meadows. He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength…”
(Psalm 23:2–3)
- God prioritizes your rest.
- God renews your strength.
- God protects you even in the valley.
He’s not just a Shepherd… He’s also your Coach.
Phillies Analogy: God is the Coach in Your Corner
Just like base coaches in baseball—Paco Figueroa at first, Dusty Wathan at third—God signals when to stay, when to move, when to run.
You don’t have to figure life out alone. You have a divine Coach helping you get home.
So ask Him:
“God, send me a signal. Tell me when to run. When to rest. When to make that move.”
The Power of Solitude
Jesus lived a lifestyle of solitude.
Not isolation—solitude.
“Very early in the morning… Jesus got up… and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”
(Mark 1:35)
Before miracles.
After ministry.
Before choosing the 12.
Before going to the Cross.
Jesus made time to be alone with God.
We say we want peace, joy, clarity—but those don’t come from the crowd.
They come from quiet.
Why We Avoid It
We’re constantly tempted to fill the time we should spend with God.
- Notifications
- Noise
- Mental exhaustion
- Shame
Some of us avoid solitude because we don’t want to face ourselves.
Some of us avoid God because we think He’s disappointed.
But the Word says:
“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
(Romans 8:1)
“Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”
(Romans 10:11)
You don’t have to be perfect to show up.
You just have to be honest.
Don’t Skip the Game Film
You can’t win if you never watch the tape.
Every team watches film to learn, grow, correct, and prepare.
You can’t expect to live victoriously if you’re not willing to review your life with God.
- Some of us want Sunday victory without weekday discipline.
- We want the trophy—but skip the practice.
- We want purpose—but avoid His presence.
But everything you want is on the other side of spending time with God.
“My Cup Is Empty”
Psalm 23:5 says:
“You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”
But here’s the truth:
You can’t pour if you’re empty.
You can’t love well, lead well, or live well if you’re spiritually dehydrated.
You’re burnt out not because you don’t love God—
but because you’ve stopped being filled by Him.
How to Make Time for God
Here are some simple tips for making solitude a habit:
- Pick a Quiet Place – Bedroom, car, porch, or yes… the bathroom.
- Schedule It – You won’t find time. You have to make it.
- Bring Your Bible – One verse can be enough.
- Be Still – No playlist, no podcast. Just silence.
- Be Honest – No performance. Just presence.
Say:
“God, I’m tired.”
“God, I’m scared.”
“God, I need You.”
He’s not mad at you.
He’s been waiting on you.
Final Thought: Come Back to the Coach
You’ve been grinding.
Running.
Pouring out.
But now… it’s time to plug back in.
Jesus said:
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
(John 10:11)
He’s calling you—not just to serve—but to sit with Him.
Take time today.
Take time this week.
Make time… for God.
