“First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad 
habits or they will conquer you.” (Dr. Rob Gilbert)
“In the lowest moments of my life, the only reason I didn’t commit suicide was that I knew I wouldn’t be able to drink anymore if I was dead.” (Eric Clapton)
“Blessed is the man who can set aside all distraction . . . Act with courage, for habit is broken by habit.” –Kempis
We are asking the question in these posts, how can I move ahead as a believer in Jesus? What practices ought to mark my life and help me grow? I’ve talked briefly about reading God’s Word, praying, and being thankful A fourth habit that really helps me is drinking coffee in the morning.
No, seriously, a fourth habit is spending time alone with the Lord. I try to do that every morning (with coffee) and it is a very vital part of my new day.
I’m an introvert, so spending time alone is a welcome activity for me. 
I can be alone in the car driving for hours, take a long walk by myself, or just sit and read a book for a serious chunk of time. I’m not really energized by a lot of people, although I want to be social and to spend time with others. Especially if they are offering me coffee.
My daughter Amy is also an introvert. She recently sent me a picture of a t-shirt she thinks we ought to wear. I can identify with that t-shirt.
The practice of solitude is an important one. It might be easier for introverts than for extroverts. But I need that alone time for the health of my soul.
Spending time alone with the Lord in quietness or in reading His Word is a discipline. One has to get to bed at a decent hour if that alone time is going to happen in the morning.
Jesus said in Mark 6:31 to His disciples: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” I heard one preacher put it this way: “Jesus said, ‘Come ye apart and rest awhile lest ye come apart!'” (to be continued)
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