Okay sweet friend, let's have a heart-to-heart about something you and I both face - those moments when your quiet time feels more like a checklist than just spending time with God. I've been there, and I want to share some insights I've learned along the way. ❤️
When Your Quiet Time Needs a Reset: 5 Common Struggles (and How to Move Forward with Grace)
Can I be completely honest with you? Sometimes I still hit those seasons where my quiet time feels disconnected or routine. Maybe you're in one right now and if you are, I want you to know you're normal.
There's so much grace for wherever you are in your journey. And if you're feeling that gentle nudge to deepen your time with God, I want to walk through that with you.
Here are five challenges I've faced in my own walk (and I'm sure you can relate to most of these!):
The Devotional Dependency
Oh friend, I lived here for years! While devotionals and pre-written Bible studies by biblically sound teachers can be beautiful companions to your quiet time (and there's nothing wrong with loving them!), I discovered that relying solely on them was the problem - that was keeping me from experiencing the full richness of God's Word.
Try this instead: Start with just you and your Bible. Pick a passage, even a short one, and ask God what He wants to show you personally. It's like moving from reading someone else's opinions about THEIR Father to receiving your own direct message from your Father.
The Distraction Dance
I'm sure you've been there - trying to read while simultaneously answering texts, making mental to-do lists (or literally putting your Bible down to add to your to-do list!), or getting pulled into family needs. Although it can be frustrating, it's also normal.
Try this instead: I've found that creating what I call a "sanctuary moment" makes such a difference. Find your quiet corner (mine's the couch before anyone wakes up), put your phone in another room (yes, really!), and give yourself permission (or better yet, admonition) to be fully present with God. Even if it's just for 15 minutes, make them focused minutes.
TIP: Don't allow the guilt! Guilt is one way the enemy (or even your own brain) will try to keep you from strengthening your faith. It's EASY to feel like you're ignoring your family or neglecting your "duties", especially if you can't do this before anyone else is awake. Consider this truth: when you make time with the Lord a priority, and your children and husband SEE how important it is to you, they will also see the amazing fruit that results from it, and through your example they will be more inclined to cultivate their own habit of time with God. How incredible is it that you can have that influence over your family, simply by committing to your own quiet time with the Lord?!
The Prayer Skip
Can I share something vulnerable? I used to jump straight into Bible reading because prayer felt... awkward at times. Maybe even (dare I say) boring. I mean, you don't even hear Him audibly respond. But here's what changed everything: thinking of prayer as simply sharing my heart with the One who cares the most to hear it!
Try this instead: Start with "God, please open my eyes and mind to hear and understand what You want to teach me today" and let the conversation flow naturally. It's not about perfect words - it's about showing up with an open heart.
FREE RESOURCE: What helps me stay focused when I pray is having a guided journal, where I can use bullet points (or paragraphs, whatever I'm feeling at the time) to write down my praises, prayers, and requests for various areas of my life. I created this FREE 31-Day Guided Prayer Journal with prompts originally for myself, because I couldn't find one I was looking for, and then I decided to make a version that you could use too! It has 31 different prompts for your husband, your children, and other areas of focused prayer like church leaders or struggling families. It also has space for praises to God, a section for prayers over yourself, and an area for any additional miscellaneous prayers (which is helpful when you're praying daily for something specific like a friend's health or marriage crisis). CLICK HERE to download your FREE copy!
The Rush and Run
In your busy mom/wife life, it's so tempting to speed through your quiet time like you're racing through a drive-thru. But sweet friend, quality is so much more important than quantity.
Try this instead: I've learned that sitting with just a few verses and really letting them sink into your heart can be more transformative than racing through an entire chapter. Give yourself permission to slow down and savor. Don't get me wrong, reading several chapters in order to understand the context of what's happening or being written about is hugely important. But taking a few minutes to savor just a few verses is better than reading an entire chapter and not remembering anything that you read.
The Duty Mindset
This one hits close to home. As a "good Christian wife and mom", it's easy to feel like quiet time and Bible study are things you're just supposed to do. They talk about it on Sunday mornings, you hear about it on social media, and you know that as a Christian, you're expected to fit into that mold of the woman who regularly reads her verse-of-the-day or participates in her women's ministry's Bible study.
Try this instead: When quiet time starts feeling like another task on your to-do list, pause and remember - this is an invitation to spend time with Someone who delights in you. When you feel disconnected, be gentle with yourself. Know that your feelings aren't necessarily truth. Take just a few minutes to linger over one verse, one paragraph, one passage, or one chapter of God's Word. Breathe this prayer: "Lord, help me see this time with fresh eyes. Remind me of your love." Sometimes just shifting your perspective from having to do quiet time to getting to spend time with the One who loves you the most, changes everything. It's part of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Remember, sweet friend - this isn't about perfection. It's about progress and presence. Every time you show up to meet with God, whether it's for 5 minutes or 50, whether you're fully focused or fighting distractions, it matters. You're building a relationship, and like any relationship, it has seasons and rhythms.
Are you ready to dive deeper into creating meaningful and transformational quiet time?
I'd love for you to check out my FREE Quieting Your Mind Guide - it's filled with gentle prompts and practical tools I've gathered along my own journey. No pressure, just support for wherever you are in your walk - and you only need a few minutes.
What struggles have you faced in your quiet time? I'd love to hear your story and walk alongside you. Drop a comment below - let's encourage each other in this journey. ❤️
Hey sweet friend, can we talk?
Have you been feeling like your spiritual life is more of a routine than a deepening relationship with God? If so, you're not alone.
Maybe you've found yourself doing all the right things—reading devotionals, nodding along to a podcast, even participating in your church's women's Bible study (AND doing the homework most days!) - but still feeling something's missing.
That deep, personal connection with God? The one where you feel His nearness and you're confident in what He wants you to be doing each day? It feels just out of reach.
Life has a way of doing that, doesn't it?
Between work, marriage, household responsibilities, children, and a million other commitments, our time with God can start to feel like just another item on the to-do list.
But here's the beautiful truth: God is calling you back to a passionate, personal relationship—no fancy qualifications required!
Let's break down some super practical ways to refresh your spiritual life and reconnect with God:
Mix Up Your Quiet Time Approach
Feeling stuck in a rut? It's time to shake things up! If your current Bible reading feels about as exciting as watching paint dry, try something new:
- Try a different Bible translation
- Use a verse mapping method
- Listen to the Bible as an audio version
- Journal your prayers instead of just speaking them (HERE is a free 30-day guided prayer journal for you!)
- Use a chronological Bible reading plan
Create a Space that Invites Connection
Your quiet time doesn't need to look Instagram-perfect, but it should feel intentional. Maybe that's:
- A cozy corner with a comfy chair
- A small table by a window
- Your favorite mug filled with coffee
- A journal and pen nearby
- A playlist of worship music that helps you focus
Embrace Imperfect Spiritual Moments
Some days, your quiet time might be messy. And that's okay! Maybe it's:
- Praying throughout your morning routine
- Reading one verse and really letting it sink in - focusing on just one or two specific words and researching the author's intended meaning by looking up the original language with a concordance
- Listening to worship music or sermons during your commute
- Talking to God while doing household chores
Get Curious About God's Word
Approach Scripture like a fascinating book you can't put down. Ask questions. Be surprised. Look for:
- What's happening in this passage?
- What does this reveal about God's character?
- How might this apply to my life right now?
Give Yourself Grace
Your spiritual journey isn't a competition. Some seasons will feel more connected than others, and that's completely normal.
What matters is your heart's desire and intentionality to know God more deeply.
Practical Tip: Start small. Commit to just 5-10 minutes a day. Consistency matters more than perfection. Remember, God isn't scoring your quiet time—He's just excited to spend time with you.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? I've got you! I've created a free "Quieting Your Mind" guide filled with practical tips to help you reconnect with God - even in the smallest moments available. It's like a spiritual jumpstart for those days when you're feeling stuck.
The most important thing? You are loved. Exactly as you are. Right now.
God isn't waiting for you to get it perfect—He's waiting to meet you right where you are.
Your faith journey is a beautiful, ongoing conversation. And the next chapter? It starts today.
