How do I build spiritual disciplines (fasting, silence, solitude) in a busy life?
Introduction
For a Christian with a busy life, the phrase "spiritual disciplines" often sounds like an impossible addition to an already overflowing schedule. You might think, "I'll do that when I retire," or "I just don't have the time."
The error in this thinking is believing you must find time for these practices. The truth is, you must make time by viewing these disciplines not as a religious checklist, but as a lifeline. Fasting, silence, and solitude are God's antidote to the exhaustion and distraction of modern life. They are acts of surrender that declare: "My soul needs God more than it needs noise, food, or activity."
Three Strategies for Building Disciplines Incrementally
Building spiritual disciplines in a busy life requires a commitment to three practical strategies: Start Small, Plan for Cessation, and Anchor to Purpose.
1. The Strategy: Start Small and Increase Slowly (Discipline of Solitude)
The key to building any spiritual habit is not to jump into a huge commitment, but to prove your faithfulness with a small, manageable one. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…” (Luke 16:10).
Solitude and Silence (The Easiest Entry Point): You don't start with a three-day silent retreat; you start with 10 minutes.
The Commute Rule: If you drive, turn off the music, the podcast, and the news for the last 10 minutes of your commute. If you walk, leave the earbuds at home. Use this time simply to breathe, pray, and listen.
The Morning Pause: Commit to one minute of silence and solitude before you check your phone. Use this minute to consciously thank God for the day and dedicate it to Him.
Make it Predictable: Build a small, set time into your schedule (e.g., 6:00 AM to 6:15 AM) and treat it like a doctor's appointment you cannot miss.
2. The Strategy: Plan for Cessation (The Discipline of Fasting)
Fasting is the conscious, temporary abstinence from something essential (usually food) for the purpose of intensified spiritual focus. In a busy life, it requires forethought.
Anchor to a Purpose: Do not fast simply to fast. Anchor it to a specific, urgent spiritual need: a difficult decision, overcoming a specific sin, or a burden for a loved one. The purpose drives the commitment.
The 16-Hour Fast (Simplified): Instead of a full-day fast, start by practicing the discipline of delaying breakfast. If you finish dinner at 7:00 PM, you commit to fasting until 11:00 AM the next day. This is a very accessible way to experience the physical discomfort that reminds your spirit to lean on God.
The Media Fast: If food is not practical due to health or schedule, fast from a powerful distraction: social media, television, or a favorite hobby for 24 hours. The goal is to take the time and energy usually devoted to that activity and dedicate it to prayer and Scripture instead.
3. The Strategy: Anchor to Purpose (The Ultimate Motivation)
The danger in a busy life is seeing the disciplines as something you do for God. The biblical view is that they are something you do to receive from God.
Discipline is a Means of Grace: The purpose of the disciplines is not to earn God's favor, but to arrange your life so you are more open and available to the Holy Spirit's work. They are a way to practice the presence of God.
Releasing Control: When you pause your schedule for silence and surrender your comfort through fasting, you are actively acknowledging that Jesus is your satisfaction, not your schedule or your food. This releases anxiety and transfers control back to God.
Worship as the Goal: Remember the words of Jesus, who prioritized stillness amidst His intense ministry: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). The disciplines refocus your life so that Christ remains the highest priority and the ultimate source of all your strength.
Conclusion
Building spiritual disciplines in a busy life means fighting for your soul's well-being. Don't wait for your life to slow down; that day may never come.
Start with a manageable commitment today—5 or 10 minutes of silence—and protect that time fiercely. You will find that these small acts of surrender, far from adding stress, are the very means by which God provides the rest, perspective, and spiritual power you need to manage the rest of your busy life.
