Originally posted at: http://www.theresstillhope.org
Jesus must have valued time alone. He withdrew to a place by himself – twice in the same day.
First, we read, “Jesus withdrew from that place” (Matthew 12:15).
Just a few verses later, we read a follow-up. “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake” (Matthew 13:1).
Psychologist Barbara Blatchley identifies several benefits of solitude. She says time alone heightens our creativity, deepens our spirituality, and replenishes us so we can make greater connections with others.
A 2019 study was conducted, in which 313 adults were asked about their time spent alone and with their social relationships. It was found that those who spend the most time in personal solitude have the strongest social relationships.
Recovery Step: If you want better connections with others (a key component of recovery), take time to connect with yourself first.
