Turning Your Much-Needed Solitude Into Reality: The 40-Day Scripture Challenge
Have you ever closed the bathroom door and breathed a sigh of relief?
Finally.
A moment to yourself.
It’s quiet.
You can hear your thoughts.
And in under 60 seconds, someone’s knocking on the door. 😂
Sometimes it feels like you’re trapped in a never-ending cycle. Packed schedules, endless to-do lists, the constant buzz of notifications, dealing with everyone’s opinions.
But time to yourself is unheard of. I mean, if it were possible, you would’ve done it by now.
I’m here to tell you – it does not have to be that way.
The Forty Forty Challenge makes solitude a practical, achievable and realistic part of your daily life. Yes, even in the midst of your busy life. Especially in the midst of it.
Before we go on, let’s get one thing straight. YOU ARE WORTH SETTING ASIDE TIME FOR. I know how hard it is to prioritize yourself, but solitude is not selfish. You need it to accomplish what God’s called you to. He didn’t make machines. He created emotional, breakable people fully dependent on Him to get through every day.
So how exactly does my 40-day Scripture challenge incorporate that much-needed alone time?
What Solitude Is and Isn’t
First we need to get on the same page about what “solitude” is.
1.
👎 It IS NOT time spent scrolling through social media before you go to sleep.
👍 It IS a deliberate choice to spend time alone, away from distractions, recharging and reconnecting with yourself and God.
2.
👎 It IS NOT forcing yourself to sit on the couch, twiddling your thumbs, dying of boredom, and counting down the seconds until “solitude” is over.
👍 It IS carving out time for solo activities that fill your soul and bring you joy. It could be a thrilling mountain bike ride, reading a good book, or basking in the beauty of nature.
3.
👎 It IS NOT a free ticket to catch up on your to-do list, meal prep, and finish the laundry.
👍 It IS a time set aside to nurture your soul, do things that bring you life, and put away the cares of today.
4.
👎 It IS NOT a way to avoid life’s challenges and responsibilities.
👍 It IS a way to grow your capacity to be able to deal with them with grace and in the Lord’s strength.
5.
👎 It IS NOT a one-size-fits-all set of rules or routine.
👍 It IS adapted to suit each personality, age, and situation. Some prefer hiking a Colorado 14er while others find solace journaling from their bed.
6.
👎 It IS NOT always easy or natural to implement. Like any good thing, it requires commitment, protection, and practice.
👍 It IS a spiritual discipline that will transform your life, clear your mind, and set you firmly on God’s Truth when life feels out of control.
My 40-day Christian challenge is an EXCELLENT way start practicing solitude on your daily walks. It’s a chance to hear God speak to you above all the other voices, soak in His Word, and rekindle your devotion to Him.
How a Christian Walking Challenge Makes Solitude Practical
Implementing solitude with my 40-day Scripture challenge is shockingly simple.
Instead of viewing solitude as an elusive luxury reserved for those with ample free time, it integrates seamlessly into your daily routine through the simple act of walking.
Here’s how it works:
🏃🏻 You walk or run 30 minutes a day.
🙏 During your daily walk/run, you read and reflect on Scripture.
🌿 You take a break from the chaos to nourish yourself with real, life-giving Truth that sustains you through the day.
That’s it!
By the way, when you sign up for my virtual Christian walking challenge, I provide all your daily readings for you. That way you don’t spend extra time choosing what to read and how to reflect on it.
The Time Commitment
If you read “30 minutes a day” and started freaking out a little, that’s ok. But it means you probably need it pretty desperately. 😬
I did the math, and 30 minutes is only 2% of your day. 🤯That’s TWO PERCENT of your day that you spend time alone, with the Lord, with your thoughts, and refueling your soul. The other 98% is spent running around, serving others, taking care of everyone, and trying to stay caught up. I know firsthand how crucial that 2% is to conquering the other 98% of your day.
Practically, this might mean 30 minutes less sleep, giving up your midday coffee run, or limiting screen time by 30 minutes. (Probably things you’re trying to get better habits in anyway. 😉)
Trust me, once you experience the power of solitude, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Thousands of my challenge participants say the same thing.
What’s Yours to Enjoy Every Day…
- Leave the many clamoring voices behind and tune in to the only Voice that matters.
- Unplug from notifications and demands on that 2% of your day.
- Leave the worries of the day in the capable hands of Jesus.
- Ground your anxious heart in God’s unchanging promises.
- Nourish your soul with REAL life, preparing yourself to handle your responsibilities with ease.
I see you – the busy, bustling Christian who longs for a break, yet rest feels so far out of reach.
A 40-day Scripture challenge is your answer. It’s a practical, achievable, and realistic way to infuse your day with peace, reflection, and connection with God.
Solitude in the Old Testament
If you look back through those well-known Bible stories, you’ll see well-respected figures prioritizing solitude and time alone with God.
- In Exodus 33:7, Moses removes himself from his leadership role, pitches a tent outside the camp, and regularly meets with God there. That’s where Lord speaks to him “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”
- Elijah, after defeating the prophets of Baal, runs away and hides in a cave alone. There He hears the voice of the Lord in a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:9-12)
- Did you know the familiar, comforting verses of Psalm 23 were written when David was hiding from his murderous son? Talk about a low point. In one his most dire and painful moments, David remembers the beauty of being alone with God. “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.”
In each of these stories, it’s pretty inconvenient for the main character to step away from their situation and get some perspective. But they recognize the reward is worth it: hearing the voice of God Himself – intimately, personally, directly.
Doesn’t that sound like a dream come true? 😌
It’s available to you and me today. Right now. We just need to make the choice – like Moses, Elijah, and David – to turn away from the noise and distractions, even if they’re good ones. The Lord is eager to share Himself with you!
Solitude in the New Testament
Multiple times throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus Himself detach Himself from the bustling world to be alone and focus on His connection with the Father.
- In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus allows the Spirit to lead Him into the wilderness for 40 days.
- In Matthew 14:13, Jesus learns of his good friend’s death and goes to a solitary place to grieve.
- In Mark 1:35, Jesus gets up before the sun comes up, finds a quiet place, and prays.
- In Luke 4:42, after healing many people of demons and diseases, Jesus goes to a “desolate place.”
These are just a few examples of Jesus’ pattern of solitude. It centered Jesus on God’s will and kept His daily choices and actions laser-focused on the Father’s direction.
What if you and I started living our lives like that?
Solitude Is a Jesus Habit
One of my Christian walking challenge’s core values is “Jesus habits.” Jesus habits are habits modeled after Jesus’ life on earth. The goal is that they become so ingrained, we do them without thinking.
Taking time alone with the Father is one of the most obvious – and most challenging – habits modeled by Jesus.
But when you follow along in my virtual Christian walking challenge, you naturally and practically build it into your daily routine. And after a while, it feels weird to not spend time alone with the Lord!
And that right there ☝️, is the key to a changed life.
If it feels impossible to squeeze it in, you’re not alone – thousands of participants have successfully made the shift and enjoy a much more fulfilled and purposeful life.
Practical Ways To Make the Most of Your Solitude
Here are a few tricks to help you get the most out of solitude during your 40-day Scripture challenge.
⏰ Set a specific time every day. Having a consistent schedule helps protect your routine and habits.
🌅 Choose a location that inspires you. Whether it’s a nearby park, a quiet neighborhood street, or a woodsy trail, walk where you can sense God’s nearness.
📵 Unplug and disconnect. Set your phone on Do Not Disturb. And then put it away until your walk’s over.
🤲 Set down the burdens you carry. Let God do what He does best and relieve you from the load you’re carrying. You’re not in control over it anyway, so practice trusting Him with it and handing it over to Him.
👂Ask God to speak to you. God’s Word is never silent, so as you soak in Scripture, ask Him to open your mind to hear Him.
When you incorporate these tips into your 40-day Scripture challenge, you’ll see a drastic shift in your time with the Lord and maximize those 30 minutes alone with Him.
Take a look at my blog post for insider tips on how to conquer a virtual Christian challenge. 💪
Benefits of Solitude During Your Christian Walking Challenge
How does solitude in my 40-day Scripture challenge affect your mental health?
You will…
- Sleep better. When you spend time investing in yourself and not in a constant state of stress, you’ll feel more relaxed and able to unwind at the end of the day.
- Enjoy more creativity. Having space from everyone’s opinions frees your mind to come up with new ideas and solutions.
- Stress less. Thank goodness. Solitude gives your mind a break from constant activity and decisions needing to be made.
- Regulate better socially and emotionally. Time alone lets you step away from all the social norms and expectations and just be you the way God made you. Solitude is a safe space.
Let’s talk about spiritual benefits. How does daily solitude transform your walk with God?
You will…
- Gain God’s perspective. Intentionally bringing your life into the light of God’s promises allows you to rise above discouragement and stress.
- Recognize God’s leading. God doesn’t hide His will from us, but we often don’t stop to hear Him. Solitude slows us down to receive this gift of guidance.
- Grow in wisdom. No one can spend time with Jesus and leave unchanged. Solitude gives you the space to learn and embrace the truth God reveals to you.
- Become more like Jesus. As you open your heart, God uses His Word to convict you of sin and gently correct you.
What’s Holding You Back?
If you recognize it’s time to break free of the control that stress and distraction have on you, I encourage you to take a decisive step towards freedom and sign up for my next 40-day Scripture challenge.
Join thousands of others who discovered the joy, fulfillment, and peace that comes from taking time to rest their souls in God’s presence.
Don’t let another opportunity slip away. Otherwise where will you be a week from now? A month? A year? Probably in the same place you are now, only more stressed, exhausted, and burnt out. 😫
You need to invest in yourself in order to be a better parent, spouse, teacher, employee, and grandparent. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor. Your future self will thank you!