1. Give your to-do list to the Lord.
Sometimes it is so hard to hear the Lord’s voice through all of the hustle and bustle of our day. We stress and obsess about our to-do list and all of our many appointments. The best way to focus in on our time with God {and to leave our to-do list behind} is actually to take our to-do list along with us! Get alone and get quiet. Ask God to bring to your mind all that you must get done. Make a list of these things. Then, spend time praying through each item on the list. As God brings more tasks to your mind, write them down. Don’t worry that it is unspiritual to stop halfway through a prayer and jot an item down. It helps you to clear your mind and then allows you to focus better on your time alone with God. He is concerned about all of the details of our life even if it is our plan to go grocery shopping or run to the dry cleaners. Need more help taming your to-do list, I highly recommend this book.
2. Get intentional.
Treat your time alone with God as serious as any other appointment you have. When you have to go to the dentist, you brush your teeth and make sure you show up on time. Why do we assume our time alone with God will just happen spontaneously? Learn to treat it with intentionality. Write down the time you will spend with God in your planner or set an alarm on your phone. Have a plan for what you will read in the Bible or whether you will write in a journal or listen to worship music.
3. Read and write.
Get a hold of a good devotional book or Bible study workbook. You can check out some of my favorites here. Use them to help you know where to read in the Bible. But don’t just read the Bible. Write your thoughts down too. Keeping a journal–whether it is a paper one or a file on your computer or tablet—will help you grow your relationship with God. You will process as you write out your thoughts. Also learn to both read and write prayers. Read prayers in the book of Psalms out loud to God. Then, write out your own specific prayers to Him as well. It will amaze you when you go back later and see the ways that God answered your prayers.
4. Make a recording and memorize.
Use an online app or program such as Audacity to record yourself reading out loud any verses or passages of scripture you would like to memorize. Then, load them on an iPod, phone or MP3 player. Pop in the headphones and listen to the verses each day as you walk, do housework or cook dinner. It makes it so much easier to memorize this way!
5. Discover the Bible’s non-negotiables.
Grab a Bible and a notebook. Pick a New Testament book such as James or Colossians. Read it through stopping each time you see a non-negotiable command that we as Christians are supposed to do. When you come across one, write it down. For example: James 1:19-21 says…
“My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.”
So you would write in your notebook:
When dealing with others, I need to:
~ Be quick to listen
~ Be slow to speak
~ Be slow to get angry because being angry doesn’t accomplish the things of God.
I must also:
~ Get rid of that which is morally wrong and evil.
~ I need to spend time planting the word of God humbly in my heart. It will save me!
When we read the Bible, we learn. However, when we write out the commands in a way that is personal to us, we allow the word to take root deep within our hearts. This will help us the next time we are faced with a situation where we need to react in a godly manner but find it challenging. When we have trained our brain to recall the nonnegotiable’s of a Christian’s behavior, it allows us to act and react in a much better way.
Blessings to you as you sit at his feet.
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Poor planning….I need to become intentional about booking a daily appointment with God. My favourite time is to get up in the middle of night when everyone is sleeping, make a cup of tea and curl up on the loveseat, but that is extremely hard to be committed to.
I get distracted when my job overwhelms me with extra time, pressure, added responsibilities. I know this is the most crucial time to make time for God and reflection, but it does not always happen. I am getting better though :)
I get distracted just dealing with all the things I need to accomplish in the day.
Thanks for that devo…I’m guilty of sometime expecting devo time to spontaneously happen. I’m an artist and one way lately that I’ve found to really meditate on God’s word is to develop a calligraphy of the verse. I help with the visuals for worship in our church by doing set design and this sermon series I have been designing banners with verses and its been so good for me spiritually to meditate on the chapters and verses.
Journal writing is a struggle. What I feel, say and write doesn’t match up. Number 5 is very clear and I would love to do this.
I really do struggle with time management. I thank God for this devotional and for bringing the steps to mind through you that will help me do better.
Blessings,
Karen
I am such a Martha! It just seems as though I am talking to God all the time in my head but not a lot of intentional – only when someone asks me to pray for them. Then I stop and intentionally pray for them. I work a lot on the computer and it seems as though its hard to find time to read the word. Even at night I will do the talking bible on my phone to read Psalms and Proverbs for the day. I save my favorite verses on Notepad on my phone to go back and read when I am feeling weak or post them on my computer monitor. Thank you for the reminder to be intentional!
I definitely have poor planning.. I have 4 kids and a full time job.. I have to commute to my job and once I get home I have to cook dinner and check homework.. I am always running around and trying to figure out what needs to be done next.. I feels as if there is not enough time in the day..
I believe my main obstacles are planning and time mgt, which seem to go hand in hand. Thank you for a very pertinent and encouraging post.
distractions..and the business of life..it’s either early in the morning or nothing because of my home daycare..so I will purpose in my heart to get up earlier and spend that quiet time with him consistently. I know it’s not only important, it’s crucial.
When I usually get distracted the most is when I need him the most. My selfish sinful desires. It may be sleeping in, or the excuse of the housework that needs done. Lately I have been setting my alarm two hours before my children wake up, which I am able to take care of my spirit AND body, two things I neglect the most. I spend about 30 minutes in Gods word, and 15 on the treadmill. Its amazing how the time I take in the morning will effect how ivreact to the rest of my day. Everything is possible with God!
I maybe late for the giveaway, but I would still like to comment. I feel as though sometimes there is not enough hours in the day for me to do all the things I need to accomplish. I find comfort in Psalm 61:1-3 I trust in my Savior to lead me to the Rock that’s higher than I to give me balance. I find strength and tranquility when I put him first and acknowledge him before my day begins.
Love the post!
I think poor planning and just the thoughts that run in and out of my head are what distract me. Which is why I really loved what you wrote about bringing the to do list with me. Today being the beginning of the Lenten season I have “plans”… you gave me a tool. Thank you.
God knew that I really needed to read this, because I have have good intentions everyday to spend time with him, but I get distracted with everything else. I want to spend time to hear his voice and to give me guidance in my life. I used to write in a great funjournal everyday, but got to busy to do it, and I miss doing it. I thank you for putting this together, because I need to become more into nap with God. Thank you for the encouragement.
My distraction is frustration and being fearful, worrying that He won’t be pleased by the way I spend time with Him. Sometimes I discourage myself to the point where it seems foolish to try. All the whole my soul is crying out for Him and it becomes a matter of knowing that I can’t make it through anything without Him.
Thanks for the awesome advice and reminders posted on Proverbs 31 Ministry. I begin every day with my quiet time with God, but I am so easily distracted. I’m an ADD mom who is constantly on the go. Four weeks ago, I had a skiing accident and broke my wrist. Since then, I have obviously been forced to slow down. I have had much more quiet time to spend in God’s Word and in prayer. I was nearing the end of my recovery when I slipped on the ice last week and separated my shoulder. Now the same arm is in a sling for another 6 weeks. I am quite helpless! Once again, God has stopped me from my crazy life of running here and there. God is good. I guess sometimes we need a little help to “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 Sitting at His feet :)
Planning to do it later. If I don’t read the Bible and devotionals first thing in the morning, the list takes over. Since a lot of things on the list involve talking to people, I try to use each conversation as an opportunity to bless and encourage the person on the other end of the phone line.
This information was shared with me today on my 29th Birthday in order to help me with this daily struggle I have been having trying to find time as a mom of 2 boys to spend growing in my walk with the LORD. Thank you so much for the helpful suggestions. Also a special thanks to a fellow member of The Mom’s in Prayer for sharing this page with me.
Thank you so much for making my day and lifting me up! It was just what my soul needed. It made me think about what I can change and how I can have more resolve in reading God’s word daily. Thank you again and God Bless YOU!
What distracts me the most are the tasks to do. So I find your advice very helpful! I also like to make prayer points list so it helps me organize my prayer life!
Thank you so much for posts like this one! Although life is busy, God should be and remain the center of life and these ideas are fantastic because of how busy life really is! Thank you for the reminder we all need at times and ideas to help us further our walk with the Lord!!!! :-)
Hello. I really enjoyed reading your post on proverbs31 and your blog. I have to be honest poor planning,rushing, time management distracts me from my time with God. Sometimes I feel that my to do list is more important and of course never ending. I’m like you when I sent get everything completed I wonder what’s wrong with myself and then I become frustrated. Now I’m going god at the top of my to do list to make a priority and watch how God works everything in my favor. I’m going to do the five things that you suggested . Thanks so much for the encouragement.
I think mine would be feeling like I am a wife and mother and things
need to get done ASAP. I have three kids, one which is special needs and another one with learning difficulties.
I am always the last on the list to get things done for myself. Life for me right now is really hard!!! I am making an effort
though to try and wake up before the kids and spend time with The Lord. I realize that apart from God I am nothing and
can’t achieve nothing. I have noticed that I am at my worst when I haven’t spent time with Him first. He is my strength!!!
These last two weeks have been very hard for me. So here I am now at 3:32 a.m. in the morning getting my alone time on
because I know when the kids awake and hit the floor, there is no alone time. Let’s continue to keep each other lifted up in prayer.
I am with you….last on the list but, without us how can they be cared for? Putting God first takes care of us so we can be good stewards and take care of them for Him.
Most thing which distract me is poor management of time inspite of this had managed to write a devotion booki thank God also distracction give me tips
I think for me it’s feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. I’ve read more about the Bible than I have actually read the Bible. I need to come up with a plan of action and get to it! I’ve really enjoyed reading Made to Crave and A Confident Heart btw :) Really appreciated the honesty.
Thank you! I need to become more intentional about spending time with God. I appreciate your list of 5 things to do. They will help me get more intentional.
Thank you so much for your suggestions on spending time with God. My Bible study and prayer life has rather been a rather ‘hit and miss’ affair up till now and I have rarely felt close to God, consequently I seem to have gone from one crisis to another in my life. Now I mean to follow this plan, become closer to God, and with His help begin to sort my life out. My first priority is to put Him first in my day so , for me, is to organise my bedtime routine: ie, early to bed so I can rise early to spend time with Him. This has been a real problem with me since living alone for the first time in my life and suffering from depression, so “Thank You” for you help, now I can begin to see light at the end of my dark tunnel.
I have been having some trouble with my memory lately and whether it’s something medical or an overloading of tasks on my “never say no plate”, I have been praying that God would reveal to me a way of order & a way to retain & for His Word to take root in my heart & mind. This morning I woke up & decided to read my email….before getting alone with God. But The email brought me to this blog which is so encouraging! Through the “scurrying or seated” devotional & this post He has given me a practical way to find order & and get in His word daily! God is amazing! Thank you for being obedient to the call that He has put on your life to impact others like me!
For me it is prioritizing! I do read proverbs 31 devotions and then I read other emails and then facebook….and then jump into my morning exercise routine…..I need to do as you suggest, get a study guide and journal in order to grow.
I have a Bible reading plan which I follow, I have a notebook, I do sit down many mornings with God. But it ends up as just being something else on my to-do list, and gets ticked off (metaphorically speaking) when I’ve done it. I really appreciated your blog and will try some of the things you mention, specifically bringing my to-do list to God and praying through each item. Why on earth have I never done that before. Plus I am always thinking of what I’ve got to do whilst I’m reading my chapters for the day, and I find I pretty much skim them. I do need to give myself more time with God, most definitely and not see it as wasted time – that sounds terrible, but you know what I mean. Time that’s not spent getting my to-do list done. Thanks again, so much. God bless. Sue
I really do have a quiet time in the mornings. I can still get distracted. I have to intentionally get my Bible open and journal open. I Love the idea of recording to help memorize because that is definitely not my strong point. Thank you for your words this morning and I look forward to reading more.
See how distracted I get. I spelled my own last name wrong! LOL
My struggle doesn’t always lie with my ability to create and maintain a devotional time with God – over the years I have learned that my early morning quiet time is key to my spiritual growth. My struggle lies in how to keep the peace I gain in that time throughout the day as life happens!! Thanks for your ideas and encouragement.
I struggle with mornings, period! Once I convince myself to get out of bed and turn off the alarm (which I keep in the bathroom, so that I have to get up to turn it off). I stand at the coffee pot waiting for the brew to finish and argue in my mind whether I will turn on the t.v. and pile up on the couch under a blanket for the 30 minutes I have before the kids get up, or will I go to the reading chair in my room and spend time with God (which was the whole reason I set the alarm to get up 30 minutes early). But mornings it has to be, because the day is eaten up with work and kids and believe it or not, I’m even sleepier in the evenings! I’m and early to bed and late to rise kinda gal!
I find that I let myself be distracted by my to do list, and by the “urgent ” things that pop up. I know my quiet time is important, but it often is moved down my list, and then I sometimes move through the time I do have with the Lord without truly intending to connect with him and just be still, or seated. Thank you for the reminder that God deserves my intentionality and I need the connection with Him toour!
*too. Silly phone!
I read a devotion almost every morning, but my struggle is with prayer time. My mind wanders so! I have tried to pray at night also, but usually fall asleep. I would appreciate any suggestions!
Poor planning q=and get distracted is my my major problems; but I really have a tough time crawling out of the warm bed and settling myself to be in quiet mode. I do find the best time to quiet my mind is in the car with Christian music playing softly in the backqround — but I am not alway in the car–so need to plan time at home also–thank you for your suggestions
It is easy for me to get too busy too quickly – getting ready for work, scurrying around. Quiet time with God needs to be a planned event, and a top priority. Thank you for reminding me to be more like Mary!
Wow…. God is really meeting me know I need to sit at His feet. I recently jammed my big toe which automatically made me sit to soak out. I felt like I really needed to be finishing my to do list, but instead I was sitting. I understand why now. I need to sit at the feet of Jesus every day and let Him guide me. Thank you for this reminder!
I take time first thing in the morning that I read devotionals. But I get distracted with what I have to do for that day, my mind wonders about things happening in my life. And the fact I only have so much time to spend with God before getting ready for work. I guess you c o Ulf say a time crunch! I truly need to prioritize. Thank you for the suggestions.
Wonderful post. I’m so encouraged today. Thank you!! :)
Oops! Forgot to answer the question! See, I’m already distracted. :)
Over-scheduling is my problem. I need to shorten my to do list and add more time at the foot of the cross.
That is could say time crunch.
With the hectic schedule of getting my son of to school, making sure my husband takes his medication and eats as he recovers from a transplant, getting ready myself and having the house in order for the nurse and home health aide; I must find time to spend with God andread to stay even kil. The LirLord is my strength and humanly I can not go about my daily schedule without him. The last three years with my husband illness prior to the blessing of the call he had a donor for the transplant December 14th, 2014; I was emotionally and physically exhausted and without my time with the Lord I was “dying”. A journal and writing keys notes from reading is essential.
This devotional spoke volumes to me. I need to intentionally sit at the feet of Jesus everyday (be still) and listen. I do have what I thought was quiet time with the Lord every morning but I still find myself distracted by all that needs accomplished for the day somewhere during this time. I even spend at least half and hour worshipping the Lord with praise music as I workout. Your 5 suggestions were a blessing to me today. Thank you. I will be putting all 5 things into practice. I need to be more like Mary!
I have intentional time set with God but I think I just treat it as a to-do-list- hurry, do it, check it off. I need to be still like the previous comment says. Great suggestions. Thanks! Beverly
My biggest impediment is not having a place to have a quiet time. I have been without a home of my own for more than 4 years. Living with others means having to be ever mindful of their space. I have prayed and believed for a better job and higher pay so that i could afford the dignity of my own home (even if it was just a tiny apartment), but God has not yet opened that door for me yet. I can wake up early and read my bible/devotionals, but all prayer is silent and worship has to wait until I’m in my car on the way to work. I have no privacy.
Living this way has really made me realize how true it is that “All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong. Take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong.”
Love this giveaway! Thanks Karen :)
Probably reading the blogs I love keeps me out of having a quiet time regularly.
I am easily distracted and need to be more organized. I love the idea of memorizing scripture!
I would have to say putting it off. I will exercise first, then check the computer, then do this one thing for my husband or kids. Before I know it the day has started and I am off running, not stopping for time with God.
Great post today, so many truths that I needed to hear! God has been telling my to take notes during my quiet time and your post reaffirmed that. I get up early every day and read, but I have forgotten what I read by mid morning! I need to take note and make scripture note cards, so that I study His word morning and night. Thank you!
Wandering mind and general distractions….wow, they can pile up!. This devo is wonderful…..makes me determined to do better!
I need to prioritize quiet time with God, preferably before the kids wake up. It seems like once the family is up and going there is no time to focus on just one thing. To get the most out of my devotions I think I need to wake up earlier!
Before I even read your devotion this morning, I had thought back already to the terrible day that I had yesterday. It hit me hard when I remembered I didn’t have time before work to do my regular devotions. “That was it!” I said to myself. That’s why my day went every which way but the right way! So I quickly turned my computer on to make sure I read this morning. I was so amazed at the words in your devotion! I loved it and needed to hear it again. God just amazes me at how He works and pulls everything together! He is so good!
Seems there is always something I need to be doing, at work, at home. And sometimes I must confess I just want to relax and do nothing at all, watch HGTV, and pretend I’m shopping for a Beach Bargain escape. Ivdo try to do a devotional to start my day, but even that is sometimes rushed.
my son wakes up incredibly early every single day and that has always been my favorite time to sit at the feet of Jesus. I know I need to become better at setting a different time/appointment…but it is hard to give up my hopes that something will change on his part.
God and I have coffee every morning and it truly is my favorite time of the day. On the rare days that I miss our time together, I certainly feel it. My day just doesn’t seem to go right. But lately I am noticing that the time feels hollow. I’m here but i’m easily distracted and ‘not here’ and the day spirals out of control. I enjoyed your blog very much, especially about reading scriptures and writing down the commands. What a great way to internalize what I’m reading so they’re not just words on a screen! Lately my to-do list has been sapping my energy so I will sit with our Father today and ask Him to help me re-organize it according to His will. Thank you, Karen, for a new perspective and God bless :)
The never ending to do list! I cried when I read the devotional on Proverbs 31. Your story was mine. I always have so much to do, and a lot of it is good things for others. My verse for this year is Be still and know that I am God. I am trying to slow down and put my time with Him first. Thanks!
I have a unrealistic idea of the things I can get done in a certain amount of time. I like the idea of praying over my list so that I accomplish the things the Lord desires of me. Thanks for sharing.
Lack of a consistent routine often nixes my quiet time with Jesus. I need to be more intentional in my walk. Thank you for the suggestions.
Lack of planning is what causes me to miss my time with God. I am slowly getting better at this.
I find it hard to wake up early enough before the kids do and be awake enough & attentive to the Word. But I’m working on it!
For me, jumping around on my tasks, rather than completing one before moving to the next one, keeps me from accomplishing things I set out to do. I love the idea of taking my list to Him in prayer- to help me stay focused and complete tasks with His help. I also don’t keep asking my family for help… Maybe asking God to help me with my list of tasks will help me allow others to help, as well! Thank you!
Thank you for the encouraging devotion and 5 ways to sit at Jesus feet!! So many times I struggle like Martha did and so want to be like Mary!! Praying I can get there one quiet time at a time!!
Sleeping in is my biggest reason now. :( The season I’m in is so busy, I’m finding myself exhausted. I need time with Him to rejuvenate and refresh my spirit.
I do have a time set aside for the Lord, first thing in the morning. I generally read a devotional, pray, and read scripture, BUT my biggest temptation (which I succumb to more than I would like) is to use that time for other things – like housework, starting dinner,etc. I also get distracted by my high school age daughter, who is the only one up during my quiet hour. Thank you for some new ideas for making the most of my time with God.
A busy mind. Rushing through life. I need to stop , slow down and breathe. These 5 tips are great!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!! God bless
Saying yes to too many things!
I have such a busy day working full time, taking care of my kids, and exercising. I have to get up early to have a quiet time. Many days I am so tired and sleep in instead. Thank you for your encouragement. I need to be more intentional about getting to bed earlier and getting up when my alarm turns on.
I would love to be more like Mary and less like Martha! I retired early, and have SO much time, but no organizational skills to keep myself on task and intentional about what I do. I find myself constantly saying “squirrel” (from the movie, “Up”). Reading Proverbs 31 devotions each day have been my time with Jesus… and I know that is not enough!
I guess just the season of life in. Ready to retire and slow down but unable to do so at this time. Working hard to start getting my time with God in first and making it a priority.
Thank you for the encouragement I have found here.
I appreciate the reminder to make time with God intentional. My season of life makes it challenging. One teenager, preteen and a full time job. You have inspired me with your ideas to do better with the realization that time with Him mes it all easier. Thanks!
I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. I make a plan, set my alarm, and then the downhill starts I didn’t go to bed on time so I’m tired. So I make coffee and while it is brewing I notice dirty dishes from last night. As I’m putting a few dirty dishes in the dishwasher the cat comes running because he thinks it is time to eat and starts meowing. So I feed him since the coffee is still brewing I think “Let me start a load of laundry before the coffee is done and them I sit down”. By that time I’ve been up for thirty minutes, I realize I have to leave the house in about an hour and I still need to make lunch and the roller coaster goes on. I start to worry about the rest of my to do list and them I feel like when I sit down with the Lord I really don’t have time for it. My prayer is to slow my mind and realize without this time with the Lord, my day is just a screaming roller coaster.
I have gotten so off track in my quiet time! :( For the month of March I will be disconnecting from social media & it’s distractions to get my focus back on God & where He wants me. Prayers would be appreciated during this time. Thank you for your devotional today!
My intentionality gets away from me and I lose track of time…
Wow, did I need that reminder today, this week, this month. I am distracted by the season of my life, 3 busy teenage girls, a husband who travels for weeks at a time, and a part/full time job at my church. My feet have been hitting the floor in the morning with the goal of accomplishing my to do list and I have been forgetting the most important item. Thank you for the reminder.
Ps. 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. Amazing how God will bring you back to Him. Now, to not waste His affliction and be serious about reading His word and spending time with Him.
LIFE- we are expected to be so many things to so many that we forget the most important one GOD! Women are like an octopus, multi-tasking and trying to get it all done at the same time! Thank you for reminding us who should always be first! GOD
I would have to say it is simply not on my “to do ” list. This is an awful realization. There is always a chore to do. I need to take or MAKE the time.
Thank you for this. I have good intentions but life gets in the way. As a stay at home mom to 5 kids I get easily distracted. I find myself thinking of my time with God but often say let me just switch laundry first or let me get the little ones to nap first. Before I know it my day is gone and I still have much left unaccomplished and one distraction led to another. I find the best time to read and spend a few moments alone with God is early in the morning when my 6th grader gets on the bus and I have an hour before waking the other 2 for school and the 2 little ones are usually asleep. Thank you for reminding me to keep God at the top of all my to-do’s.
I have my quiet time carved out of my morning, but there is always something interrupting it. If not my children, it’s the dog or cat. I don’t have a place to really be uninterrupted, but I was encouraged about stopping and writing the “to do” list to help clear your mind, another huge downfall for me; even if its interrupted at least it’s time with Him. Thank you for your encouragement.
While waiting for my coffee to brew, I get side tracked on social media and my emails. Before I know it, I only have about 20 min to spend with Jesus. I need to be more intentional about making it the night before.
AMEN! My to do list for the day just got smaller, one thing only-Get Me Some God Time!
Poor planning here. I generally read my Bible in the mornings during breakfast, but oftentimes my two small children will interrupt. At this point in my life I deal with the interruptions because I want to demonstrate faithful daily Bible reading to my kids.
Looking around at all the things in the house that haven’t been done yet. I need to keep my head down and focused on God so that I don’t get distracted. Thank you for the wonderful blog post and the giveaway.
I get distracted. I have grand plans, everything on the kitchen table ready for me and I get distracted by everything I walk past to get there. I need to be more intentional on my focus to get to the kitchen table! I did start delaying getting ready for work so that I would not head out the door as early giving me more time – which has helped but I’m definitely not there yet.
Well. If I’m on top of it for the day, I talk to God. Meaning everything else in my life is in order, my brain is refreshed and clear and I’m not tired.
If those conditions aren’t met – well I guess quiet time doesn’t get done. Eating does, homework does, face booking will, but quiet time gets somehow lost in the mix.
But I’ve been learning this week that sometimes lack of sleep is a time when I need to rely on God more because I know I will not be able to be graceful and loving on my own.
It’s kind of like Gideon and his 300 men – God had to take more and more of his army away so that that the Israelites would not be able to boast in their own strength. I suppose by not being my 100%, all the accomplishments/things I get done/attitude I have is completely due to the Holy Spirit within me because Lord knows my flesh wouldn’t act so nice if it were allowed to.
Honestly? Things in this world that are right in front of my face take up my time. My kids, my husband, dishes, dirty toilets, ect. And, it’s always hard to give myself quiet time. John 15:5 is my confirmation verse. I would love to study it more deeply. :)
The main source of my distractions is the season of life that I am in. With everything and everyone pulling at me and not much help around it can be overwhelming. I pray and seek the Lord’s wisdom to have the strength to get through each day. The truth is I don’t just want to get through each day I want to live it! I know I am free in Christ yet day to day feel so discouraged and like I am missing the mark. When I spend time with the Lord in His word everything seems so clear. It is the moment I close the bible, get dressed and leave my home or take a call that it all goes crazy. How do I keep the comfort and peace I find in my time with God and not allow the circumstances of life to steal it away?
This was a great post. I get distracted and am unorganized by nature. These steps will be so helpful. I am also new to all this so morizing scripture is something I very much want to do. Blessings
I get distracted by Facebook! Blessings to you all!
I think my biggest distraction is my to do list, usually it is just running through my head or babbling to my husband about what I still need to do. I love your first point about bringing your to do list to God. I am going to start this today, because I know he has things he wants me to do that I haven’t been allowing him to speak to me about.
I just need to get up earlier and stop sleeping in.
My quiet time in the morning before work is precious but then when my day starts seems I’ve forgotten all I prayed about. Need help in memorization of scripture
The season of life I’m in definitely hinders my time with God. I commute a long way really early in the morning to work and already feel like I’m not getting enough sleep and am getting up too early.
And since not making time to spend with God, I’ve been much more anxious and untrusting of him.
Hi Karen, This was my first time visiting your site. I really enjoyed your post. its just what I needed this morning…God is so Good !! Thank you for your faithful dedication to teaching his word
Karen,
Your devotional message and blog posting were so timely for me, and I thank you for the encouragement and your sharing! Right now, despite a to-do list (and trip packing list) a mile long, I am sitting on my couch, watching the sun rise after my devotional/bible reading, and I feel like God is shining directly on me. I make a point of getting up daily to start with a word from Him, and praying, reading and writing are all part of the time I spend to get closer to God. While I aim to begin my day with Him at the forefront of my mind, and make the time fully dedicated to God, I often find myself feeling distracted when I have allowed the to-dos that await me afterward to crowd my mental space or make me so anxious/rushed that I am not fully present in these moments. I love your recommendation to bring the to-do list to God, because it is already with me in my thoughts, and that will help me to put it in its place until the right time to address it (after time with God). I know from experience that God makes a way for me to tackle the tasks that I need to accomplish, and it is always easier when I release the day’s agenda and assignments to Him in advance, and tune in to His will.
My husband recently began working out of our home, so my time alone to spend uninterrupted with God is no longer there. Also, a busy work schedule for me requiring very early mornings to work, I have been leaving the house before 6 a.m., and my quiet time is gone on those days. I’ve got to get more creative with where and when to spend time with the Lord. Thanks for your devotional and tips today. It’s just what I needed.
As a single mom of 4 boys (two of whom I am in the process of adopting), my “To Do” list is never ending and we are always on the go. Recently, I was reminded (and this blog post reaffirmed) that it is vital for us to begin our day in prayer and listening to God rather than worrying about everything that may or may not get done today. I have been getting up a little earlier to read devotions and pray, and have been given amazing peace that lets me know that God is with me in all of the little things I am doing throughout the day.
Thank You for #1! As I spend time with Jesus each morning I often find my mind wandering to something I need to do each day – and I feel a little guilt about sropping to jot it on the To Do list. It will help me so much to think of it as writing it so I can set it aside until it’s time, and to remember that God cares if I am anxious about my pile of dirty laundry or remembering to stop at the post office also!
If I am totally honest with myself and God then my reasons for not spending time with him are simply that I work 4 jobs, be a wife, be a mother and try to serve in my church. My home is disorganized and I am believing that it will never get cleaned up because when I have more than 10 minutes I would rather sit and spend them with my children. So unfortunately God becomes last on my list. Working 4 jobs is what it takes right now to make ends meet for my family…I know that God will help me make the time I need to do what He wants me to do. Thank you for your openness and sharing of God’s word to me…It is a blessing in my day! May you have a joyful and sun shiney day!
Smiles & Blessings, Robin :)
I think for me it’s a combination of things – poor time management, distraction, disorganization. Dealing with some minor health issues and depression really got me out of the habit of getting up to have my quiet time. I wake up, daunted by the things I have to do. I know it makes a huge difference in my day when I make that time before the kids get up and our day gets started – thank you for the reminders and encouragement!
time managment-just started working after 18 yrs being a of stay at home mom!
Sleeping in
Having three kids ages 18 months, 6 and 9 gets me up early and keeps me busy till night. The problem is me not carving out the time with God. I can find it if I chose time with Him first over the many other things I can find to fill my time.
Oh the many distractions of this world!!! It is so VITAL to get our Jesus time!!!! Thank you for this post and giveaway!
Poor planning, family distractions, and exhaustion all add to my lack of commitment to my time with The Lord. Thank you for the reminder to “mimick Mary”. That is going to b my daily tag line to remind myself to focus on God. Love the idea of bringing my to do list to God and praying over it. Thank you for today’s devotion. So happy to have discovered your blog. Good stuff…
As a mom of 3 kids the day always starts off at a hectic pace and I am not intentional about setting time to be alone with God. Then the day is off and rolling and I am so busy with all the ministries I am involved in that I forget to take the time to be with God. I surround myself with things to do like Martha, Godly things, but forget to spend time with the One whom I am serving. I really love all the ideas but giving my to do list to God and setting an appointment with God are the two I will start with today!
I’m sitting in the living room this morning with my coffee. The washer and dryer are whirring away in the other room. My wet hair heaped under a towel on my head. I’m thinking about my deployed husband and anticipating two little kids to bounce down the stairs at any moment. For me, in this season, exhaustion and unrealistic expectations of myself can shuffle my priorities in a hurry. I enjoyed P31 this morning and your blot post. Everything else today is…what it is. :)
It’s the season I’m in. I have a very active 18 month old who is teething. So it’s been very difficult for me to get my quiet time in. The other problem is when he is sleeping I have to do things like wash the dishes b/c that’s the only time I have to do them and if I don’t, they pile up and then I can’t cook, etc (I live in Brazil where very few people have dishwashers) Thanks for this devotional this morning, it was exactly what I needed.
For me it is sleeping in and poor planning. I find if I am more intentional about going to bed earlier I wake up ahead of the alarm in the morning. I also keep my bible and devotional on my nightstand.
Good morning! Though I do spend quiet time each morning with the Lord, sometimes my problem is staying focused on my quiet time and not obsessing about what the day holds….. I love your ideas!!
Time management and season of life. My twins wear me out but better time management would help me get the rest I need.
I have two boys ages 5 and 2. I am three months pregnant. My husband works 7 days a week on his main job and has two small jobs. Laundry and dishes pile up while meals need to be prepared. I am trying to find ways to earn money from home which is a big distraction right now along with other commitments I made before I found out I was pregnant. We are exhausted people and this is not a very pleasant season of life.
This phase of life is difficult. I try to wake up before my littles, and they all know this is mommy’s bible time, but that doesn’t always keep away the interruptions. Great points today. I appreciate your ministry!!!
Several things keep me from a regular quiet time right now. Time management, plus for the time being I have lost my quiet time space. I know how important it is I desire it, I want it. But I just don’t seem to make it happen. :( Thanks for this reminder.
Thank you for this! I am most easily distracted by my 4 kids – ages 6, 3, 2, and 6 months! I get up early in the morning…but so do they! We homeschool during the day, and at night we have soccer practice, Life Group, or something else many nights! Most days I can get the Proverbs 31 Daily Devotion read and listen to a few worship songs, but I’m not sitting at Jesus’ feet like I need to. Thanks for the encouraging words and reminder!
Thank you for your practical steps to making the most of my time with the Lord. I have wanted to start a journal to record my thoughts, prayers and the trail of faithfulness God has made in my life.
My setback is I can’t seem to clear my head of my to do list while I am trying to have my alone time with God. It seems that as soon as I sit down to pray or read every to do thing comes to mind, I start worry about if everything will get done and takes my attention away from my alone time.
i am new to spending time with God. I am continuing to practice every day. I am thirsty for the understanding and i have so many questions.
Thank you, Karen, for this reminder! Honestly, I often forget to include time with God in my last-minute rush to get out the door. Oops! Right now I am trying to make it a habit by establishing 5 key points to accomplish before I get out the door (shower, make the bed, etc) and time with the Lord in one of them.
Sleep. I look forward to my sleep! I am pretty good about reflecting before bed but sometimes I am so tired I just fall asleep then I feel guilty.
Wonderful post! I would say that my season of life and my expectation of a quiet time before The Lord hinder me from regularly sitting at His feet. Our family just recently grew from 4 to 7 children through adoption, so when I have a fee minutes, I will wonder if it is long enough for my quiet time to look the way I think it should. Usually time won’t permit, so I delay until later. I’ve started grabbing moments throughout the day recognizing that every moment before Him is glorious and just the Bread I needed for the moment. Thank you for the post!!
My distraction is the season of life I am in. Trying to get two kids on the bus and still having a preschooler at home, it’s hard to even get up early to spend time with God, like I want to. But, I definitely know that when I do take time to talk to Him, my day amazingly goes well…I can get upset pretty easily over minute things, but when I start my day off right, those little things don’t get to me, and I accomplish above and beyond what I intentionally set out to do! God is wonderful, and He wants to help me get done what needs to get done…I just need to ask Him for His help!
Karen,
Was so glad to read your devotional today. I spend time every morning reading devotionals and rereading certain prayers, but your devotional made me realize that maybe I am not spending time with the Lord. From now on I am going to just chat with God and then read the devotionals. Thanks Karen. God Bless.
What distracts me the most from spending time with God? Ultimately it is the devil. He thinks its great when I’m running late for work (which is constantly), kids don’t want to get out of bed and get ready for school, the dog runs away, my coffee pot breaks, my lunch (which I forgot to put in the refrigerator last night) is still sitting on the counter, the traffic in front of me, the horrible headache I feel. I could go on with so many more problems I encounter frequently throughout my week. But I know ultimately God is the one who quiets all those problems, fears and stresses that I go through. Right at the end of it all, I am constantly reminded if only I had had a few minutes alone with God that morning, things would not look so horrible. Yes, things still happen but when God is in the picture and you have had a morning with him, things don’t look so bleak.
busy, tired, leave for school (too!) early…. sorry excuses. Now in the summer…I can get up, go outside & have my coffee with Jesus & I find myself happily engaged in bible reading, study & prayer for an hour or 2! Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you God and Karen. I needed this. My family knows I needed this. God spoke to me through you.
Number 2. BE INTENTIONAL really convicted me. It is my bigget need right now along withand Number 5. DISCOVER THE NON-NEGOTIABLES . What an awesome way to bring God’s Word into focus for our own lives! Thanks for your blog!
My problem is poor time management and putting others needs before mine!
I feel like my season of live makes it difficult to spend real quiet time at the feet of God. I am a homeschooling mom with 5 kids from ages 12-1. It seems like even if I get up before the baby I can’t seem to beat the others up and I’m quickly pulled into meeting the needs of my family. Even when I do get some time to read a bible study it is always filled with interruptions so it doesn’t feel like focused time.
I never give myself enough time for morning devotions………..I have been doing better the last few weeks by setting a specific time in the mornings and sticking wth it!
My own selfish desires distract me most from my time with God. Although I want a close relationship with God, it requires alot of me. It requires me to be focused and purposeful for a certain period of time. It’s not easy like the mindless activities of watching TV, reading email, scrolling through the Facebook Newsfeed, etc. But oh the reward when I take the time and make the effort! Just thinking that the one who created everything is waiting to spend time with me motivates me to open up my Bible even though the dishes need washed, the clothes need cleaned, the house needs dusted, etc., etc., etc… And that reward is what I must focus on when everything else closes in.
All of the above! My daughter wakes up so early and I’m so disorganized I do think K of how to make time during the bustle of the day.
My kids and chores around the house. Having 2 small children, they do not understand when I say that I need a minute. If I don’t get up earlier than them, I won’t get the full quiet time that I need and want with The Lord.
Sleeping in and that never ending to do list get me all the time! I love the time I do spend with God so that should be enough for me to make it a priority.
The season of life I’m in…. I have a 4 year old and 2 year old that seem to take all my time and energy…. love them to death, just wish I could be more organized and get up earlier! :)
I need to be more intentional. I have items to make my journal. I just haven’t make the time to put it together. So that’s my excuse. I always tell myself, “I’ll get deeper in the word when my journal is set up”. Today will be the day I get started and finish!! Thanks for the little nudge!
Not doing devitions, being lazy at times and letting other things come un the way.i need to get firm
Part of my problem is unrealistic expectations, and yes, not spending quiet time with the Lord reflecting on what is REALLY important!
Can you believe my distraction is from being so organized. My devotions take place mostly in the mornings but as my mind is racing ahead to what book I am going to read next that is spiritual or what book can I find on line at Amazon for Lent. Opening the bible, I do but then I get caught up in the words or study guide part and have a hard time concentrating on just the words. Memorizing has never been my strong suite but I want to learn how. Listening to my own words may be the answer.
Joining in this email response is what I hope can be some new study skills for me to learn God’s word.
Your words were just what I needed to hear this morning.
My biggest distraction when it comes to sitting at Jesus feet is sleeping in. I pray that I will desire more time with God instead of more sleep
If I’m honest, the reason I don’t have consistent times with the Lord, is a combination of trying to get the most amount of sleep I can before pulling myself out of bed in the morning and caring for elderly parents as well as having high school students still at home, and working 40 hours a week. I know God is enabling me to care for all these areas, I see His hand every day in our circumstances and it shames me that I don’t make time for Him just to thank Him. Pray that I will be more intentional to do this. Thank you for the tips above, I plan to use some of your ideas.
i get distracted because spending time with him is the last thing I do before I go to work. Usually my mind is on getting out the door and watching the clock
Good morning, I become so very easily distracted by everything that needs to get done and then my quiet time just doesn’t happen. Please Lord help me to always sit with you before the day begins and hear you. Thank you for you patience and love.
Wow! This sure spoke to me! Procrastination is one of my worst enemies. I get up every morning, get a cup of coffee, THINK about my daily devotional and time with God…then I say, “I need to wait a few minutes so I can be awake good. I’m so addled from just waking up and I won’t remember what I read.” And that is true, but then one thing happens after another and before you know it the day has went by and I never got around to my time with God. I vow every day that tomorrow will be different. Satan sure knows how to “work me”. I’m a good “planner”, but a poor “executor”.
I can relate some days. Thanks for sharing & being real!
Thank you for your specific ideas. I struggle when my kids wake earlier than usual or when I feel depressed and sleep too much or when I forget to pray first for God to be my focus. This week has been pretty good. We worship such an amazing God!
God such a way of “taping me on the shoulder”, with what he want me to stop and hear today’s blog was just such a tap, a challenge to stay calm in the face of someone elses efforts to create issues. Thank you for being God’s hand today!
Everything is a distraction and everything can seem piled up and against me in seconds! With 7 kiddos (new baby that has special needs right now) and homeschooling I’m struggling to have quiet time with The Lord! The season of life I am in doesn’t allow the block of time I would like to have with Christ. Instead I’m in constant prayer throughout the day and reading (while feeding or holding baby) devotionals for encouragement. I really like the idea of recording what you want to memorize and I’m also going to start up my prayer journal again. I have done this before but it’s been a while. Thank you for your great blog and devotional today. God bless you.
What a great list of specifics to help us get alone with God. I do some of them, but see the need to do all. I just started keeping a journal and needed the suggestions of writing out prayers not just listing what I am praying for. Also, to write down thoughts we have as we read. I had something just this morning that I thought about and need to go back and write down. I teach these comprehension strategies to students and am not practicing what I preach! I am also planning to send them on to coworkers and friends.
My main enemy is not being a morning person. I normally am running around like a crazy person to get out of the door each morning. I have tried many, many tactics and they will work for a short while but I end up going back to my “snooze” way of approaching the day. Your devotional spoke to me and I am going to try again and again until I conquer my urge to keep pressing snooze when the clock sounds.
Thank you for the devotion today!!!
I LOVE the idea about audacity–I’ll have to try that. I get most distracted when I sleep late. I realized this problem a while back, and adopted the mantra- God’s word first even if just one verse. I subscribe to K-Loves encouraging word of the day so I read that before my feet hit the floor. I’ve had to allow myself some grace, and be more realistic at what time is best for me personally to spend time with God and many days my schedule changes according to what is going on at work. I tend to use my afternoon break at work to do a devotion and refocus my attention on what matters, and I feed on scripture at least 5 times a day to keep me focused.
Thank you for all these tips. I try to daily read my bible but I just read it and not actually study it. I would love to win to have something to help me study the bible. Thank you for the chance to win.
I am ashamed to admit it but I have too many superficial things that distract me. I tell myself I need “me time” because I feel like I am always pouring out of me and don’t feel like anyone is giving back to me. I try to fill myself back up with things (FB, game apps, & watching TV) to restore myself when I should be filling up with God. Thank you for your devotion…it has spoke volumes to me and I hope to put these 5 steps into practice. Blessings to you and your ministry!
Since October of last year, God has really been speaking to me about being more intentional about spending time with him. Now… I’m a new mom and I’ve been married about 2 years so throw that in the mix and you know how busy my days can get! Between working Full Time, then going home to work Full Time as a wife and mom, I too often leave the last few minutes of my night to read (when I’m dog tired!) so of course I’m not as consistent as I need to be and I don’t retain as much when I’m tired.Have I consistently spent time with God each day?? Sadly NO! But each time I get off track, He nudges me through a spoken word through Proverbs 31, or a sermon, or Preachers that I follow on Instagram. Yesterday, I walked past a coworkers desk and she was listening to Joyce Meyer’s 3030 Challeneg to read your bible for 30 minutes for 30 minutes. Was that a coincidence?? Of course not! Was it a coincidence that I read this devotion today. Of course not! God is pushing me to get back on track and I welcome any resources to help me get a little closer to Jesus everyday and not just to read but to study his word. Thank you for the gift you are offering us women! Even if I don’t win, this devotion has blessed me and been God’s confirmation so I am grateful.
My issue is not making time. I get too caught up in doing other things that I don’t really need to do (sleep in, watch tv, etc.) And I have never done a bible study either. I am intimidated and I know I shouldn’t be. Just have a hard time getting past that. This bible study notebook would be wonderful! THank you for the chance to win it and I am hoping to follow these 5 steps too.
Your devotion “Scurrying or Seated” was so incredibly timely for me. Just yesterday, I had a big list of things to do and was incredible frustrated that it didn’t all get done. Looking back on the day, I didn’t even spend any intentional time with God. What a great reminder of the importance of making time with God a priority!
I have several distractions that pull away from spending time with God. My season of life is a big factor – taking care of three children leaves me tired at the end of the day and I can barely keep my eyes open in order to read the Bible and pray. The computer is also a distraction – reading blogs (ulp) can take up tons of time before I even realize it. And even though many of the blogs I read are focused on living a Godly life, they should not replace reading the actual word of God.
Thank you for providing such a great list of ways to sit at God’s feet instead of scurry around Him. It has challenged me to give my time to God first!
SLEEP!!! I think, overall, I have gotten into a good habit…it’s those few days I get an extra hour of sleep that then throws off my day!
Thx Karen!!
My distractions are built into my day at this season of my life. My husband is retired and we have a wonderful relationship and love spending time together. We are both morning people and love having our coffee, the days devotion and talking through our day. The next thing we know it is mid morning with no progress made towards our.plans for the day. Love all the ideas in your blog today especially taking your to do list before the Lord to pray over it. Thank you for helping me see the different ways to spend time with the Lord.
First of all…I want to thank you, Karen. I REALLY needed this today. I have two year-old triplets who definitely help distract me. I have been really struggling recently with accomplishing things around the house. I am constantly interrupted, and I get so frustrated and angry. I used to really use nap time as my down time, but my kiddos aren’t napping well recently. When bed time comes, I’m so exhausted that I check out and just watch TV until I fall asleep. My point is…it’s not my toddlers’ who are keeping me from spending time with Jesus. I have a choice to make in those short times of peace, and I have been making the wrong ones. If I just commit some of my “free time” to Jesus, things will look up.
Thanks Karen for another thought provoking devotional. It occurred to me that you may be being a bit hard on yourself. The run away morning had you helping 3 other people. Of all the things that please God, putting others first is high up there. He doesn’t see it as a waste of time when you do that.
I often get distracted by my list of things to do. I find the time to pray in the mornings, but sometimes I have a hard time focusing. My mind wanders and that’s when I feel like I’m not spending quality time with God. Wish I could explain it better.
Hi, I think my biggest problem of not using a special time set apart to share with God is I always think, there will be time to do it a little later. I feel like I must do this or that right now and put God on the back burner and then wonder why things are so stressful. I have decided to set a time in the still of the morning and share it with my Savior. He died for my sins, he gave His very life for me. What would I have done if He kept thinking there will be time to do that a little later. Thank you for your inspiring, mind changing thoughts.
Sleeping in is my big problem for mornings and then busyness is my problem once I’m up and going! Thank you for these 5 reminders :).
Thank you for this post, it was a great reminder, I have been falling behind in spending time intentionally with God with two little ones in the house, the constant busyness and to do lists have made me forget what’s truly important, so thank you again.
What distracts me… Sleeping in… And that never ending to do list. I also fear that when I have quiet time with The Lord, I have no idea what I’m doing and sometimes that makes me feel silly and awkward. I always wonder what other people do during their bible study. What do they read? How do they know where to begin!!? My son’s name is Joshua so I began reading through that book and just seeing all that he went through… But then where? Great tips, for now I have a plan of where to go! I feel like I should keep my journal attached to me! Thanks for sharing!
Thinking that I have too much to do and not enough time. But I am intentional and make sure I have my time first thing with The Lord. What a difference that makes in my day!
My “to-do” list is my biggest distraction; I haven’t quite gotten the message that my time with God should come before any other thing I have to do. I usually put off my devotion time until right before bed when the house is quiet and I can relax. But my husband reminded me earlier this week that when I’m not relaxed, that’s the best time to have time with God. Thank you for the post, it was very much needed.
My distractions are many. For me it is better to have my time with God the earlier (darker) the better. I get distracted with my view and giving praise to Him when I look out. My cat disctracts me, and I thank God for him because he was a gift. My hot coffee, too is a distraction. that one is the worse because I just should be so adamant about having it “hot”. With what you shared it has taken me to focus more on Him and His Word. Thank you.
Thank you! I needed this. My problem is I choose to sleep in and let distractions get in the way. This and accountability are the things I need help me get my focus back and making time to spend with God.
What distracts me from time with God is my own problem of multti-tasking.While time with God is my first task ach morning my brain is thinking about coffee, the animals being fed, lunches made, clothes ready, problems at work and then some. The scripture most often given to me is Be Stiil. How? I am trying to learn this and after 14 years of being a disciple of Christ it is stil my biggest problem. I am focusing on Phil and not being anxious about anything, and learning to be content.I am spending my time in the morning with God first and praying through a list. It is hard to still my mind but God is working and only through him can anythg br done.
I really needed this this morning. I have been having a rough couple of months waiting on a specific thing. I am focusing so much on that and hurting in my soul because I am not holding on to God like I should.
My mind wanders and that’s a problem when I’m trying to have devotions but I think my busy day gets in the way and then before I know it the clock is telling me to sleep so I can do it all again the next day. Consistency is also hard for me but reading at least one thing in the morn (for me its P31) before emails or housework, helps immensely & I’ve noticed a prayer said before getting out of bed in the morn starts the day off right. I also need to be spending more time in prayer -specific prayer for myself my family and others. I find writing my prayers helps me to not be quite as distracted thank you for being open in your devo and blog. I am hoping to write or type out the 5 steps you talked about. Blessings
I could come up with a number of reasons why I don’t take the time with God. The thing is when I do my day does go so much better. I sleep in….then when I have pushed snooze for the last possible time in order for me to still get in a shower before I start my day (I am a childcare provider), I feel like Martha rushing around in order to be ready for the day.
Thank you for this opportunity.
My mind is my distraction. It never seems to be quiet. It jumps around like it has somewhere important to go. I can get lost in reading and never get anything done.
I can be such a Martha!!!! I have heard this story and devotions similar to this one, but no matter how many times I heard it God always points out to me ways that I need to “be seating” instead of “scurrying”. Such a good reminder and much needed today…thank you!
The last 8 years with my husband constantly working overtime leaving me solely with the responsibility of working at my own work from home job while having three little ones to raise and homeschool, made it very difficult to find any quiet time with God. I struggled with being too tired to get up that extra hour early, and even if I was successful, due to the house design, I would inevitably wake up the rest of the house. But this year has been sooooooo much more of a blessing to me. Even though it cost us $12,000 to send them all to a Christian school, it has been such a blessing for me to have some time in my day without 3 littlest constantly asking me questions. I’ve had sooooooo much free time to soak in God’s word, while incorporating lots of prayer and fasting. I have a much closer relationship with God this year.
This was such a helpful article, and I felt as though you were speaking directly to me. I struggle with ways to have my alone time with God and I thank you for sharing your strategies. I’m printing them out and will reference it first thing in the morning when I begin anew. Thank you for being my guide!
:)
I would start doing other things with the intention of spending my quiet time with God as soon as I got such & such done. I’m sure everyone knows how that turned out. Now, I purposely make my quiet time with Him 1st, even if it means getting up hours earlier to get it in. My day is grounded now.
In my earlier years in the Lord, my time with him was often put on the back burner in order to sleep in, or enjoy a late night movie or party time with friends. I have grown and matured. The parties have ended, I don’t watch movies anymore (unless you count Lilo & Stitch for the 100th time with my 5 year old), and my morning time of devotion is a my saving grace. Up at 5 am to seek the Lord…but distraction still comes.The lists of the day. My volunteer work as a P31 OBS Small Group Leader. The dishes left on the table from the night before. The thought of trying to sneak in a shower before the pitter patter of feet down the hallway. It all comes flooding into my mind and the time with the Lord is often robbed. Today’s blog was a great encouragement to begin writing down these distractions and giving them to the Lord. I am also reminded to keep my blinders on, focused on my personal time with the Lord first and foremost before any ministry or activity. I cannot function without my fuel. Thank you Karen for continuing to help me focus on my walk with the Lord and let go so much that would easily entangle me. Blessings to you!
Just what I needed to hear today; thank you!
I get so distracted in my devotions and praying. I’ve tried to implement some of the above suggestions already. But it’s a wonderful reminder. I try to spend intentional time in God’s Word with my 16 year old daughter too. I want her to have a closer walk with God at her age than I did when I was her age. Thank you for the reminders!!
I have unrealistic expectations of what I can accually accomplish in a given time period. Also, I just can’t seem to find a time that I can stay focused on a devotional. I am NOT a morning person so getting up earlier just didn’t work. But when I get home from work I let my to do list and kids take priority over time with God. I do read and reflect on the devotion email I get from Proverbs 31 every day when I get to work. It’s a start but not good enough.
Just the general busy-ness of our home distracts me from spending one on one time with God. I need a quiet room, no one one walking in and out, maybe a sign that says “Shhh… Mommy is spending time with the Lord.”
All of the reasons you listed above, would apply to me. I’m constantly disorganized, never seem to have enough time to do what I need to get done, and I’m also a night owl, so getting up early, is a chore for me. I have started leaving my bible on the kitchen table, so I know exactly were it is and can take some time to read it and do my devotional while I’m having my coffee, at least on the days when I don’t go into work early. I’m still having trouble getting up even earlier to have my quiet time if I have to be at work at 9.
I get distracted by ME……my mind begins to wonder to the errands/chores/projects I need to complete/start, etc. I need to carve out time, just as I would for any other task I wanted to complete. This blog is just what I needed to read today!
I think I have adult ADD. I start with good intentions and then I get distracted easily. TOO easily!
Sleeping in and poor planning. As a working mom, I need to get up 30 minutes before my family so that I can have quiet time without distractions such as “honey, have you seen my keys” or “mom, where’s my ___________.” I need to schedule that time with God without distraction. Thanks Karen for these reminders. Love them!
This is such a timely message. I started my morning thinking I’d spend time with God but kept getting distracted to do little chores around the house. I kept straightening up pantries and wiping down counters. Finally, I sat down to focus on God and saw this devotional. Thank you for a wonderful reminder of what is most important. I get frustrated at work and at home when I don’t accomplish what I hoped to accomplish. But praying and getting back into the word reminds me of how trivial those things actually are!
The season of my life right now is a very distracting time. I have sons who are ill and require numerous drs. appts as well as medication regulations. My set “God time” seems to be disrupted a lot due to worries or other health obligations. I have a gratitude journal though that has kept me sane through the storm. I write in it every morning at 4:30 and I don’t let anything get in the way of that 5 mins of thankfulness. I am also continually trying to find ways to find encouragement in the drs. office through my bible on the phone or texting others who need encouragement. God is always there- it is just me who needs to take the time to find a way to see Him.
General busyness: work, kids, errands, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. I have tried to make plans for daily bible time, but have not been able to consistently follow through yet, but I will keep trying.
My husband and I spend time together in devotional time and prayer every morning before he goes to work, which was an intentional decision when we married 71/2 years ago. However, I know I still need time alone with him, and that becomes the challenge for me. 3 days a week, I am blessed to work in a local ministry, and those mornings are the most difficult ones to get in my personal time in the Word.
Your recommendations are right on target, and I am especially impressed (or is it convicted?) about taking the to do list to Him in prayer. We are in our 60’s, and while we don’t have littles in our house, neither do I get as much done as quickly as I once did!! Thanks for the encouragement with practical ways to help
This was perfect for me this morning. I felt like The Lord woke me up early, so I went to my bible. I just couldn’t focus, though. My mind kept wandering. Too many thoughts rolling through it. I needed it to be more structured. Sometimes when that happens, I just stop, close my eyes, and wait for a song to come. That’s what I did this morning. I just sang a praise hymn to Him in my head until my mind calmed, and I could finish reading. That helps me.
Honestly, picking a time when I can keep my eyes open. I am always just so tired. When I know I have time in the morning after I have gotten everyone off to school and work I can’t keep my eyes open. But I know its a good time because there is no one home needing my attention. So I guess its managing my time too. I do read email devotions in between getting kids ready, packing lunches and getting everyone out the door but I don’t write anything down or keep a journal and I do know the importance of it. I really like your blog today and I think it will help me a bunch.
My mental “to do” list with it’s running tally of “IMPORTANT” tasks clutter my mind and leave little room for morning devotion time. I need to prioritize and put time with God on the top of that list. But I don’t want to put time with God as simply a thing that I need to do in my day. I pray and meditate while I am at the gym, in between the gasping for air while on the stairclimber. But God deserves so much more than what I am giving him. Stopped at red lights I say quick prayers for friends or family members. I am currently fitting God into my busy schedule and after reading the daily devotion, I am convicted and nearly brought to tears. I am in love with an amazing God, the creator of all and he wants quiet alone time with me. God is alive and speaks to my heart today. I need to value and prioritize my daily time with Him.
Sleeping in, poor planning, not being intentional. . . . can I say ALL of the above?!! Very frustrated with myself right now. So, I’ll be stopping what I’m doing at the moment AND spending TIME with my JESUS!! Thanks!
Not getting to bed at a decent time in order to have more time in the morning. I have a full day of ministry and come home late and tired. No excuses. It is also a challenge to have my quiet time fit with my husband’s schedule and have a good place to enjoy quiet. Continuing to work at improving and very thankful for the days that I actually get in sync. Thanks for your encouragement!
I always feel like my to-do list is too long and time is too short. I often do not set aside that alone time with God as I should, so I need to me intentional about adding that to the top of my list each day. I have started using my commute time to pray, but find I am wanting more and need to schedule some time to read, write, and reflect as well.
I do read the Bible every morning with my husband and we pray together. We also do a devo called, The Daily Bread. It can take us anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. I think what I am missing is the being still and processing what we’ve read or prayed about. As soon as we are done, I am up off the couch and starting to get ready for work. At night after work there are lots of things to do. I need to set an appointment with God to listen to Him, memorize Scripture and write in my journal. I have journaled for years but just randomly. Please pray for me to be more structured with my own quiet time!
Blessings on you and your ministry. You have blessed me!
My problem is definitely poor time management & lack or organization. I truly crave these things in my life, but life itself always seems to get in the way. I need to become more intentional & prioritize differently. It’s so easy to think that certain things can wait & others must be done now. God will always be waiting for us, but should never have to.
We are using the book ‘Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World’ for our Ladies Bible Study and it has made me more aware of how important it is to have our priorities right.
I am certainly distracted by the season of life that I am currently in. Sometimes little one’s nap times don’t happen, or the dog is barking and the baby is crying. I am trying to be more intentional, and less distracted though.
Distractions, household tasks, never ending list of things to do. I need to be intentional. I think the enemy fights us anyway tooth and nail to not spend time with God. But we need to fight the good fight of faith. My prayer today is Lord Jesus, let me fall so madly in love with you that all I desire is You and to sit at Your feet and experience Your love for me!!
I would say both “sleeping in” and “distractibility” affect my quiet time with God. If I don’t have quiet time first thing in the morning, I get distracted by everything on my “to do” list. So many time, I’m so tired from the day/week before that I’ve hit snooze too many times that I don’t by a productive quie time in with God before I start my day already behind! I am in the “sandwich generation ” with 3 teenage girls and an aging widowed mom who lives with us. I wouldn’t change my situation, but finding time for what I need can be very challenging! Thank-you for you “on the go ” tips for quiet time!
Mine problem is I try to do to much in a short period of time..so when I wake up, my mind is running over everything I need to do. And even when I do set down to have time with God I’m having a hard time to focus because thinking about my to do list..But I see I need to be like Mary and focus on whats more important. And like you said..give my to do list over to God..Thank you for sharing this devotional.
I would love to know Gods word and understand it better. I to find it hard to make the time, but all that is going to change. I want it bad enought to make it a priority . I have trouble with reading and understanding what I have read, but I will begin praying for clarity and get excited to see change. Thanks
A distracted mind and poor planning/time management are what most often interferes with or prevents my quiet time with God. I pray about this!
Love your ideas about praying about to-do list (hadn’t thought of that!) and recording verses you want to memorize.
Overwhelmed with this season in my life which leads me to going to bed too late, getting up late and then trying to fit in my quiet time before I have to start work.
Sleeping in is definitely my problem. My life is hectic, as most people’s are. This year I am trying to take better care of my health. This includes both physical health by finding time to exercise, and spiritual health by finding time to spend with God. Mornings, before the rest of my family gets up, is the only alone time I have to do this. When my days are so busy I stay up late to get things done. I then sleep in and miss out on my alone time. Thank you for the devotional and for reminding me how important it is to set aside time for God.
Really needed this so thanks for sharing. I plan to read first thing but then life gets in the way but by night I am exhausted so need to find a happy middle.
I love this post! I try to spend time with God as soon as I’m up, but I find that I need more consistency-sometimes I spend only a few minutes when I know I have things to do. I’ll definitely be putting this advice into practice!
I struggle with a distracted mind when I am trying just to sit at his feet and worship him. My mind goes other places with all I have to do or anxious thoughts about what is going on in my life.I want to learn to just worship him and return some of the love he bestows upon me….
Busyness and responsibilities seem to rush me through quiet time with Him.
Thank you for the encouragement
I have to say I start with a plan, have the best intentions and then I allow life to get in the way. I oversleep in the morning, therefore no quiet time. I rush out the door to work without sitting at the Saviors feet.
Then I get home from work, cook dinner, clean up the ktichen and then I spend the next two to three hours watching tv. I let that be a distraction. I try and read my bible but with the tv on my mind is divided. I need to prioritzie my life around the Word of God.
I get distracted if my kids are around. I need silence. But I’m too tired to get up early and so drained I don’t so it at night. So I struggle to find time to do it. Then my mind wanders with all the things I need to do or people who are hurting or my own struggles so I can’t seem to focus
A combination of distraction and the season of life – there’s always something to do or someone needing something. Then I feel overwhelmed and so the spiral begins. I want to set an example for my girls , and not the “what not to do” kind.
Thank you for getting back my personal life with the Lord!
November 13, 2014 I started a path of becoming intentional. It was my word of the year and it took me untilnNovember to really allow the power of that word to soak in. I would not trade my mornings with God for anything this world has to offer. There has been one spiritual attack after another but here I stand strong with my anchor firmly rooted. Im so thankful for ladies like you and ladies like Christy Fitzwater who allowed yourselves to let God use you.
Sleeping in or feeling like everyone elses needs should come before mine.
The thing that distracts me most from spending quality time with God is–Time. I find myself feeling that there isn’t enough time in my day to get everything done. I work full-time and care deeply about devoting as much time as possible to my little girls in the morning and when we get home in the evening that it pushes the rest of the daily tasks later and later. Dishes, laundry, exercise, spending time with my husband and occasionally “me time.” It’s very late to bed and very early to rise to start it all again. My excuse is always “I don’t have time for a long devotional because i’m tired and need sleep in order to make it through tomorrow.” I want to fix that mindset sooner rather than later. I know I need to and I thank you for your encouragement today.
Get Intentional. That has been my focus the past couple weeks. The Lord has helped me recognize that “my” schedule is out of control and I need to get on His schedule. Becoming intentional is the way to keeping all the extras take complete control of my life.
Time-management and not prioritizing God into the day. The day starts and I am in a constant rush to get things done – the more the better, right? Why do we put this heavy pressure on ourselves to get EVERYTHING done? I need to start the day off right with God and let him guide my day!
Loved your devotion and blog article today – just what I needed! Thank you
I think my biggest distraction to having quiet time is just finding or making time to have a quiet time. Even though our children are older now. It is still difficult to find a time in a busy day to stop and take time for yourself
My biggest distraction is sleeping in for sure. I sleep until the very last possible moment, giving me approximately 20 minutes to get out the door in the morning. Then it’s getting the kids to school and getting to work, all on time.
Trying to find my way back to God, I always let things build up in me and lately I feel God speaking though P31 letting me know he Is and always have been right beside me . Thank you P31 for teaching me how to find my way home
Oh my this describes me so well. My name should be Martha. I am what distracts me. I have great intentions (sometimes). If I am honest, I don’t even always have great intentions. I am too caught up in what is important to me and I give God my crumbs. Help…I don’t know how to be a Mary, even though I have done the “How to Be a Mary in a Martha World” Bible study. I didn’t change.
Not purposefully setting a time each day that I will spend with God. Recognizing that this is the best way that I could spend time daily, instead of feeling like I need to squeeze it in between other things. Love your ideas this morning!
Negative self talk and just plain cluelessness on where to begin keep me from reading the bible. I do take time to talk with God in the car and dare I say it- in the shower ( about the only alone time I get). I find it really challenging to shut out the clamor of the world around me and focus my thoughts from time to time. I have been asking God to work in my heart and help me find direction. I believe He is working in me.
You gave me a lot to think about! My biggest obstacle is finding alone time with God. I just need to throw all of my excuses out!
Thank you for your wonderful post. While having breakfast I checked my email which led me also to your blog. We live in a fast-paced and ambitious world. As a professional artist, my goal was to be successful ; more than that, my art was a passion and, sad to say, it was my top priority without realizing it. There were alone times in my life when I had to make a living with my art to support myself and my children. When my children were grown and I had remarried, art was still my main passion. I had always believed in God and knew Jesus was the Savior and God’s Son, but didn’t understand that the number one thing in life …..what God wanted…. was our complete devotion and surrender to Him and to have a close personal relationship with Him/Jesus.
My marriage broke up and I went through many trials and heartaches and hardships that I will not mention here except to say that I realized God was getting my attention. I began reading the Bible in earnest and many Scriptures “spoke” to me . I was totally alone for a long period of time (family not in contact, etc) and it was just me and the Lord and I began to realize, with the Holy Spirit’s help, that all I really needed was God.
In the past I had more than one nervous breakdown because life was so difficult. Now the devil is still throwing obstacles and difficult situations my way; things now in a way much worse than in the past when I “fell apart like a two-dollar suitcase.” God’s Word has power ! Romans 12: 1-2 ; 2 Timothy 1:7 . He has renewed my mind and given me hope through His Word and prayer. He put us on this earth to have fellowship with us in love, and for us to worship Him in reverence and awe; and of course for us to help others and bear fruit. We need to have daily devotions with Him out of gratitude and love and for all He has done and will do. Maranatha ! He in turn will guide us and help us and will never forsake us. Hebrews 13:5. Our focus should be on the Lord, not the cares of this world. 1 John 15-17 and Matthew 6:33
Thank the good Lord for providing His Word and the privilege of prayer!
Correction on one Scripture…. It should be 1 John 2:15-17 God is good!
Thanks Karen for the encouragement today. I esp love no.4 and 5. “the Bible is non -negotiable” and recording my voice saying scripture. Such good ideas. I think the thing that distracts me the most is my mind wandering when I am doing my devotions. I find myself thinking about everything else instead of God’s. Word to me.
It is definitely distractions of housework, home business and little things that come up. I am off on Mondays and Fridays and try to give my time to The Lord first in study and prayer before starting my to do’s. I also just list 5 items to do so I don’t feel overwhelmed.
How did you know that I needed to read this today? It’s like you just spoke right to my need and my heart. May God help me to start first with #1 and #2! Then the rest will fall in place. May God bless you for your ministry to women!
For me, the main issue is lack of a plan for my quiet time with God. I have begun journaling my prayers and praises but having a devotional guide would help a lot.
OH MY GOSH !!
kAREN, I Love that you wrote this !
I have been badly suffering from being able to organize and do things around the house that needs to be done, that I actually will just shutdown and not do anything cause I’m over-whelmed with everything ! With all these distractions, I do forget or push aside my time with God. I do notice that it does make a difference to start my time off with spending time with him but remembering that and sticking to that is a challenge for me. I often ask for the Holy Spirit to help me to remember to do this. I love this daily devotion you wrote and I pray & please pray for me, that I will use this as a tool to help me do better. Thank you Karen !!
I really needed this devotion today. I get distracted by the busyness of my daily life. Full-time job, Husband, Kids ages 15, 14 and 7, upkeep of the house. I can keep listing, but you get what I mean. And all of those are great Blessings, but should not be used as excuses to not find or take time with God. I have to admit too, I have a hard time saying “No” and some of my busyness is my own doing. I’m trying to work on that too.
Thank you again for your devotion and blog post today. It’s one more reminder that I need to make intentional time for the studying, reading and listening to God. THANK YOU!
I spend a lot of time watching tv with my son. We like certain shows and thanks to the
dvr we can watch them anytime. He is glued to home by some issues i can not get to. I want to help him but i am asking the lord to show me how. I suffer from several debilitating arthritis issues and do try to catch up on housework when i am feeling good. I read devotionals. I go to bible studies. I also am a master at procrastination. I also become easily distracred. I pray every day for the power to seek Him in all i do.
Thank you so much! Busy, busy….yikes! I was reminded this morning of the acrostic…. Being ….Under…Satan’s…. Yoke. I’m giving a birthday dinner party for my husband tomorrow and I also work full time….shopping still to do! Hit the floor running this morning, didn’t even stop a minute for Him. I came to my laptop to get the best directions to go to the few stores I need to go to later….one of the websites wouldn’t load. Proverbs 31 Ministries “happened” to pop into my mind. Okay…I need to take some time before leaving for work to read the devotion for the day…..it couldn’t have been more perfect!! I need to remain intentional to put Him first no matter what (and sometimes BECAUSE of) what my day demands. Thank you Karen!!!
Life in general distracts me. I’m a single mom of one, running an in-home daycare and planning a wedding to the wonderful man God brought into my life. I spent an hour just reading God’s word a few days ago…I have no excuses for not giving God the respect and time He wants from me. I talk to Him every day and I know it’s not enough. All He wants is a few minutes…
This is SO timely – along with the devotion about spending time with God. I find myself falling into that trap too – I just read a devotion on meeting with God. A young man set an appointment to meet with Jesus every day. But soon he found things getting in the way and didn’t go. He walked by his library one day and peeked in – and saw Jesus sitting there. He went in and asked Jesus, “Have you been here every morning?” Jesus said “yes. I yearn to spend time with you every day so I wouldn’t miss a meeting with you.” The point is that Jesus wants us to want to spend time with him b/c it’s precious. But he also loves us and wants to spend time with us.” The devotion was a great illustration to me that it’s not just a command to meet with him. It’s sharing and love and caring and commitment. Jesus holds up his end of the deal every day. Am I? SO…thank you for posting also the 5 ways to make the commitment to be with Jesus. And knowing he wants it too, makes it all the more compelling. (I believe I got the devotion out of Cynthia Heald’s “Becoming a Woman who Walks with God)
Mine is sleeping in. God gave me a time I need to get up so that I can exercise and have quiet time with him and I keep sleeping in. I will go to bed early enough to wake up with Him tomorrow! :) Thank you for your devotion today! I needed it. :)
Great post, thanks! The thing that distracts me most is probably disorganization. Tomorrow I am starting Joyce Meyer’s 3030 Challenge though, 30 minutes studying God’s Word for 30 Days! :) Thanks for the chance to win!
I get most distracted by my circumstances. For some reason, whether my faith isn’t strong enough or not, I can’t help but wish things are differences and those are the thoughts that distract me while spending time with my Lord.
I get distracted so easily by my to-do list that I have constantly running through my mind! Today’s devotional was perfect and much needed for me!
Thanks!
Karen,I do desire to spend time with God everyday,I suffer with migraines and also knowing what to do to sit and read is always tough for me.I’ve listened to lysa’s videos I admire you ladies so much, but to sit and read the bible and understand what God wants for my life that’s where I struggle.I know the stories from growing up but I know there’s more to the bible that pertains to me.Your blog this morning helped allot, thank you blessings in Christ, Janet lamb
Hi Karen–This is SO timely as I sit here and realize, yes, I did read a chaper in our current OBS book this morning that had scripture in it, I haven’t spend focused time with Jesus today. Even at that, he answered a prayer uttered almost instantly. Imagine if I REALLY focused on beeing the Jesus girl I strive to be. Even though I get up early, I do it with my husband and things like preparing his lunch for work and the TV distract me. I am going to start getting up before him so I can have my time at Jesus’ feet!
I have trouble with all of the distractions you listed. Sometimes I think my life is just too busy!
business. doesn’t matter, seems like everything else is a priority. Even just a few more minutes of sleep in the morning, when I know those extra minutes sleeping will not do me any good. Thanks for putting it in black and white! Blessings!
Thank you for the great tips (5 Ways to Sit at His Feet), Karen!!! They are extremely helpful and it’s so cool how you take something that seems like it should be simple for us women, but it’s really hard to juggle all we have on our plate, and break it down for us. I have a little of each of time management, disorganization, too much to deal with in this season of life! Thanks again for these ideas you gave today :)
Oh what a rhema word! God wants all of us to have a more intimate relationship with him. It is imperative to rest at His feet and be in His presence. Only then can we know what God’s will is for our lives.
Thanks for the tips in this post! For me it’s just poor planning on my part. I schedule everything else, but always try to “fit” God in. I need to make Him my number 1 priority and schedule my day around HIM!!!
My insecurities and thinking that I can not do it.
I am disorganized – both in stuff and time management. If I try to do this at home, I am too easily distracted. I have been trying to spend at least a few minutes during my lunch hour away from my office, reading God’s Word.
Trying to do it all. It’s time to stop and listen more.
This season I am in, I have over committed myself to too many good things. I need to slow down and ask God – what does HE want me to do, and what things do I need to let go. :)
Thanks for the encouragement today! Please enter me in your drawing!
it is so easy to get distracted! I was doing so well! Then the enemy spoke through my husband who thought I was spending too much time in the Word. (I was actually looking for a special dessert recipe for him that time, which I did make.) Anyway, I quickly got out of the habit. I know that is what I need, and my daily time with Jesus needs to be INTENTIONAL!
The busyness of life for me tends to be a distraction from spending time with God. With 4 kids….this is a very busy season of life for us. I also realize that when I spend time with God each day, it helps me focus on Him and what He wants me to accomplish.
I am so easily distracted by what needs to be done. I need to be more intentional in my time with the Lord.
This sounds like a fantastic idea! i need to do this! need balance in my life
The season of life I am currently in. 3 kids and a full time job can be overwhelming at times – so many things to get done. I had a friend tell me that she tries to go on a “sleep fast”. Instead of giving up food, she gives up sleep to spend time with the Lord. When I spend time with Him first thing in the morning, my day always seems to go well.
I think being a perfectionist gets in my way of spending more time with God. I tend to think “oh, I don’t have a specific plan for my time with God today, so I shouldn’t go to Him” or “I need the right kind of study guide or reading plan, just doing ‘whatever’ won’t be good enough.” Sometimes I get caught up in thinking that my quiet time with God needs to be so formal, as if it requires a syllabus and an agenda! I often pray little prayers or have quick conversations with God, but I don’t count those as “official” enough to satisfy the title of “sitting at God’s feet.” However!!! The 5 Ways article really opened my eyes to different ideas of what counts as sitting with Him. I appreciate your words and encouragement to find God right where he is – which is everywhere, all the time. I want to intentionally remember that He is always right beside me, no appointment needed!
Thanks Karen for another reminder. I struggle with over booking myself. With homeschooling, working, and just trying to fit everything and everyone in. Need that reminder to intentionally put God in MY planner and set others plans aside for that time.
Time management……..I get up in the morning check my email and then before I know it I am having to hurry around to get ready to leave for work. My day is definately better when I start it out with quiet time with the Lord. Thanks for the wonderful reminder of that in today’s devotional.
Can I say that it is just about anything you can list at one time or another. Sleep, the dog eating my breakfast, noise of the morning, busyness of the day, whatever you can think of is a ploy by the enemy to get me distracted. Lately it has been my iPhone where you can txt, look at the internet and even my bible app ( all good but when used incorrectly it is a negative)
But when I do get a complete quiet moment it is such a treasure and I try to hold on as long as I can.
I get so overwhelmed with EVERYTHING. I have good intentions but I suffer from depression, anxiety, and other illnesses that have rendered me nearly homebound. I just don’t know where to begin. I have four children and we are always being tugged here and there so this would be such a blessing to me and my family.
The season of life I am in makes it hard to be intentional about spending time with God — two little kids & a new baby.
Simply not following through with my commitment to wake before my children and spend time in the Word.
Thinking about all I have to do distracts me. The first point you made in your blog is great and helped me a lot. Taking my to do list to God is great!
What distracts me is my feelings of depression. I don’t feel worthy or capable of being in His presence.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking I’ll get some important “to-dos” out of the way, THEN have quiet time. But sometimes I run out of time. In the bigger picture, I find myself thinking that I can get caught up on everything, and then relax, have quiet time, catch up with friends, etc. etc. But I’m not sure we ever get caught up, and in the midst of the busyness, we need to keep our priorities straight! Another helpful book on this subject is Joanna Weaver’s “Having a Mary heart in a Martha world.” Well, I’d better log off! Quiet time is next!
I have learned the value of spending my early time in the morning with the Lord. I love the new ideas shared in this devotional today. They are an excellent reminder of how important it is to sit at the feet of Jesus and focus on Him rather than the things that will make up our day. Thank you for the practical suggestions. My girls are grown now and I am only distracted by my own behaviors and concerns. Sometimes I just get anxious about all of the things going on at work or all of the items on my “to do” list and prevent myself from resting at the feet of Jesus.
My biggest issue is time management. I’m working on it….
Awareness is going to help, I hope.
Everybody is busy….My husband and I am retired and it is still hard to set aside a time for devotional….know I need to but feels like I never have quietness to myself.
4:30 am. God, me, coffee, and The Jesus Calling Devotional for Kids!!
For me it’s a combination of things that distract me from time alone with God. Sleeping in would probably be first on the list followed by my children and work, along with poor time management. I love spending time with God but sometimes it feels I just don’t have time. I love what you said about putting time with God in my planner and also about preparing for time with Him, like getting ready to go to the dentist. Thank you for giving me new perspective on planning and preparing for my ‘appointments with God’. I just love that!
I also really liked your idea for studying The Nonnegotiables of scripture and your written example of how to apply it to myself. I’m going to start a study like that. I’ve never read anything by you before Karen, but I’ve learned so much from you in just this one post, I will definitely be visiting your page again and again! Thank you!
I am going through a season of PTSD. I knew immediately after the traumatic event that only God would be able to help me. I had no doubt about that but yet I find myself having
trouble reaching out to Him. Everything became a distraction. Its almost impossible to
focus when I read the Word but I still no that He is the only one that can deliver me and I
am so grateful for these suggestions that you have shared!
Really needed to read this today! Thank you.
This is great! Thank you so much. I am speaking at a Ladies Retreat in April and would like to use this as I talk to the ladies about Bible Study, Quiet time and prayer.
Poor planning and feeling overwhelmed hinders me more than anything else. I’m determined to change these things though!!!
What distracts me most from spending time with God is all of the things you listed! I am really working on getting up earlier and have really prayed to Him about helping me with this struggle. On the same day I knew I needed to start getting up earlier my best friend posted a picture on Instagram that said, “We get up an hour earlier to live an hour more.” It’s so true. My fiance and is so strong in Christ and every morning he makes time. I can’t continue to make excuses for not being able to get up. I’ve just always had a hard time being that I’m not a morning person, but I pray I can start to make at least 30 minutes to really focus on God because by the time I had time to do it at work, distractions happen. Today, for example, I did wake up a little earlier, however, I haven’t found my best focus or space for God in my house yet. I then get a call later that my son was kicking, pushing, hitting teachers and his friends at his daycare, he’s 3 1/2. I knew that the reason that happened was because I didn’t start my day with God. Things seem to always go wrong on days I don’t focus on God or at least pray before my day gets started. It’s been a rough start to my weekend :( God is faithful though.
I think my distractions are numerous. I am a mom of 4, ages 13, 11, 22 months and 4 months. Full-time wife and I work a full-time job. Sleep is a rarity and important to me. I am not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination. I don’t schedule time with God, though I am trying to read the Proverbs31 devotionals daily along with A Confident Heart. I’m working on growing with my relationship with God, but feel so often that I am missing something. I don’t want to set aside time to just “be with God” and check it off the list. I want to truly experience being with Him and that at times seems daunting.
My biggest challenge is not letting the world interrupt my quiet time. It is so darn easy to become distracted!
what distracts me the most is everything going on around me. if there is noise like the television, radio, people outside, etc it’s hard for me to get still and be alone. if i dont wake up in time for work and rushing around. phone ringing with children wanting this or that or needing something.
For me it is simply busyness – I allow other things to come first when in reality putting time in Gods word first would make everything else so much easier! It’s simple…..it’s just hard.
As a mother of five my appointment with God is every morning locked in the bathroom. I know it sounds crazy but it works. I have a cute shelf that keeps my bible and devotional displayed amongst other little decorations. If I did not list this on my to do list at the start of my day I know for a fact it would never happen as the day gets so busy so quickly.
I have really been struggling for quite some time with my time with the Lord. I am highly distracted and it feels dry and I don’t know what to study. Thank you so much for this devotional!
My main distraction keeping me from God is ME! I need to learn to be intentional and make time with God a priority. I don’t miss a scheduled appointment for work, but I will push God aside in a minute. I pray that God will continue to work within me to help me accomplish his goals in my life! Thank you for this article! If nothing else, it has awakened me to what I didn’t want to accept! God bless!!!!!
I am a procrastinator and I can be lazy. I take it easy in the morning, then I’m pressed for time for the things I should do. Simply, I need to get organized and just do what I need to do. I like your idea of “getting intentional”, putting our devotions on our daily planners or setting an alarm on our phone for the time we are to spend with Him. I know I have to be intentional, your ideas of how to do it are great. Also, as silly as it seems, have heard the Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet story so many times, but never equated Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet to myself sitting at Jesus’ feet for devotions. The focus has always been on Martha it seems. (from your devotion with Prov. 31). It just never struck me that way. I appreciate your down to earth ideas, and it’s motivating to me. Thanks.
I think my problem is poor planning. I need to write a daily “to-do” list, and put time with The Lord at the very top. Then I need to remember to look at it very first thing in the morning.
I am most distracted by the busyness in my head. As I pray about certain tasks, people, myself… – my mind starts think about that certain issue or task. I love the idea of writing it down as you pray. Hopefully this will help me to stay focused on talking & listening to god! Thank you!
Unfortunatly, my snooze button gets in my way. I hit snooze several times before I get up and take a shower. Getting up any earlier in the morning is hard and usually leaves me with a migraine the size of Texas. So I avoid it. I know I need some alone time with God in the mornings and I know I need to get intentional about it. But in the mornings before my brain starts working is when I can’t seem to get intentional. I have tried a lot of things and nothing has worked to get me out of bed. Especially on the weekends when I actually get to sleep in and get some rest.
Love this..thank you! I need to get intentional and I love the idea of praying over my to do list!
Karen,
As always God has used your blog to bring me back to focus. Your ministry is so important! I appreciate your thoughts here, especially the getting intentional one. I know that has been a bit of a Christian buzz word but in real world terms we have just lost sight of how we live. Thank you for reminding me to be who I say I want to be and do what I say I want to do!
Angela
For me it would be poor time management on what I spend time doing. I love to read books and devotional emails, but time alone with God sometimes falls to the back burner with the never ending “I just need to get this one thing done, then I can spend time along with God”. That rarely works with 3 little kiddos with me all day. I must spend the time with God before they wake up, or it just doesn’t happen. I talk to God throughout the day, but to gave the quiet time to talk and listen I must be intentional and do it before my kids get up .
I sometimes think it’s just Satan interfering as he always will if we let him. I have good intentions and most of the time can get my time in with our Lord-BUT-(there’s that big little word!) let a little strife and discord-anger-bitterness-worry-busyness, etc grab my attention, and I begin to fail miserably-again! We are currently in week 4 of a Bible study-Lord, Change My Attitude-and it is definitely an eye opener! May God continue to pour out His blessings and forgiveness on us all!
I am leading two bible study groups- so I am always around God’s words; but I must remembver to make it a personal time for myself in mornings. Before I reach for my phone, before I watch news, before I fix school lunches, etc., I spend few minutes with God’s words that I feel He always had it prepared for me only.
For me, it is mostly poor time management that is a problem. I end up with so many things that “have” to be done for my job or my family, and the reality is, no one is going to fire me if I don’t read my Bible, so I end up not making it a priority when other things get pushed to the forefront. My goal is to be able to fully realize the importance of God in my life to the point that not having a relationship on a daily level with Him isn’t an option. :)
I am an older mom (49) of three boys, 13, 12 and 8. Working full time and then coming home to a full evening is definitely tiring. When I finally do get an opportunity to sit down and chill, all I want to do is surf the internet, read magazines, watch TV, etc. then I end up staying up till 10 or 10:30. This is NOT conducive to getting up at 5am to spend time with God! Poor time management, need of sleep, not delegating enough to the children. I have a deep desire to spend time with him, but can’t seem to make it work.
The Lord is so good to me. I am walking a new path in life… It’s called the empty nest. It has been a real struggle for me. Plus I am pre-menopausal . I am spending so much time now on Bible study, reading , writing just time with my Heavenly Father . There are some days that I would not be able to get through without Him. I am NOT perfect. But I am forgiven and my Heavenly Father loves me so much. I have a great husband but at this particular time in my mother heart I am drawing my strength from Him.
My biggest distraction is trying to do things around the house. I tend to make myself so busy doing “servant” things that I don’t take sufficient time to be in the Word. I’ve been challenged in my Good Morning Girls Bible study that I have to Intentionally Focus my mind on the Bible and letting God shape my life, and sometimes that means putting aside the laundry for an hour, or skipping the vacuuming, because letting God shape me into His image is more important (and of greater reward to my family!) than making sure the house is always perfect.
I try really hard to have daily time with my God, but I get distracted. I have been so much better since my husband passed away — when you hit bottom, the only place to reach is up to Him. My relationship with Him and my time with Him has grown tremendously since I became a widow. I think what is hindering me is the enemy. Like, I go to spend time in the Word, and it’s “oh, you probably need to do “this” before you start so you won’t forget, etc. I am praying for more strength and not let myself get some distracted.
Sleeping in, dis-organized, poor time management, call it whatever you like ~ bottom line ~ SATAN! The more determined you are to begin each day with a DQT, the more determined the Devil is to STOP you:) Don’t let him win the battle for your mind!
Thanks for the helpful tips!! These were well needed. With my busy life, I do not spend enough time with God. I know I am supposed to and everything in my life is pointing in this direction, but I always have excuses. Too tired, kids, activities, homework, cleaning, work, etc. All of those things don’t matter compared, but for some reason I give more attention to them. I will be working on setting side time during the week that I get in that quite place with Him. Just have to find that place. LOL.
Encouraging words for CHANGE in my life. Thank you!
‘Self’ most often keeps me from spending the time with the Word and in prayer. I have a daily time for reading, not always for praying. I find that writing something I’ve learned or part of a verse helps greatly.
I will be totally honest….it’s laziness. I would often rather sleep in a little longer than get up and spend time with the Lord :(. I need to be more dedicated to my quiet time. I appreciate all of these suggestions. They are great! Thank you!
I would have to be honest and say motherhood and being a wife. I let task & chores and my need to get them done get in the way of the quiet, alone time I should take daily with God.
What distracts me most from spending time with God is poor management of my time. With 4 kids… the youngest still being home most of the time… and the oldest two involved in sports… my mind is going in every direction. I can tell myself I’m going to do it first thing in the morning after the older three are off to school, and then the youngest wants some attention. I’d love to win you book and have another chance to delve into quiet time.
I get distracted by my own thoughts. Being a wife and mother, I think of everything and everyone but myself. Thinking about life, work, health, money, bills, etc. I don’t know how to quiet my mind. I pick up my bible and just call words like a child learning how to read. I pray and listen to worship songs, but no quiet time. From the time I wake up until I go to bed, I’m thinking about or dealing with family and work. There is time that I can squeeze quiet time in, I just don’t know how to settle myself and my mind. It would help me greatly to teach my boys. How can I expect them to read when I’m not being a good example for them?
I am so chore oriented, I am more frequently a Martha than a Mary. Something is always clamoring for my attention. And I let the loud noise take over when I should be listening for the soft voice of the Lord.
My biggest distraction… poor time management and an eagerness to get the things of the day checked off my list. I need to better prioritize all relationships, including with God.
Thank you for posting this. I would have to say time for me! We live in a fast-paced-want-it-now-can’t-wait-world!!! Tis so sweet to slow down and make the time to get alone with God!
Thank you so much for this. We were discussing the same thing in my Bible Study Group this morning in regard to where we place our priorities.
At this time in my life, I feel that being disorganized is eating into my time with God. It has been almost 3 years since my husband passed away and I still cannot get back on a routine that works for my life at this stage. Praying for wisdom and God’s guidance in this area. I do make time for quiet time in the morning, but I crave so much more.
Blessings
I think you hit the nail on the head. I am easily distracted. There is so much to do, that I almost feel guity when I’m taking time out to spend it with the Lord. I also get impatient because I feel like I am doing all the talking and need to listen for His still small voice. I need to set aside a time and a place for just He and I. Sometimes I don’t know what to do, or say, or pray. It helps when I play worship music and just sing to him.
Just this morning in Bible study we made a list of things that keep us from spending time with God. We also made a list of things that help us. Today was our first day of our latest study, “My One Word” and it’s the 2nd question of the group discussion! Our list included crazy schedules and time constraints, our emotions, and selfishness. Personally, I don’t consistently take as much time as I should at the feet of God because I’m a little afraid of what He’ll have me do next! I know the path he’s laid before me, but it requires work & a bit of sacrifice and I’m not quite ready for that. I do a little, the best that I can right now, but I know He wants me to do more. I’ll be sharing this with my Bible study so they can read your wonderful suggestions! Thank you for this!!
Many things that distract me…time management. I am the worse! Disorganization of things. I seem to be constantly cleaning, throwing away unnecessary things that I have kept. I have a lot of things I want to accomplish, but I seem to always have something else in the way and my ADD takes over. I even made myself a special spot for Bible study and reading and it gets overly cluttered. Thank you for the list – printed and to be kept with me. That’s a necessary thing I need to keep!
It is funny I scrambled to find the time at 1:30pm today after a hectic morning to sit down to read my Proverbs 31 devotion via email ! I wasn’t going to sit and read it. I have to go to get my kids from school, grocery shopping, laundry ETC. But a nudge strongly & gently said something about me just sitting for 10 minutes to hear God’s word!! NOW! Very unlike me to listen but I did. During this moment my husband called since he was in a position to talk at work because he wanted to hear in detail about my daughter’s doc appt we had this morning at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I text him saying “give me 10 minutes or so I just want to read a devotion in quiet” So again very unlike me. THEN I clicked on 5 ways to help spend time with Jesus from this devotion then saw your blog. AND I LOVE IT. Your blog has so many helpful avenues. You are a blessing and gave me a gift today. Thank you Karen
I am grateful for your reminders about how and why to spend time with God. With three little girls at home, I find making time with God soaking in His word hard to do. But, I so see the difference in my reactions, my attitudes, and my heart when I do consistently carve out time with Him. Thank you for your encouragement!
Distractions? 1) Poor time mgmt (letting urgent take over important) 2) sleeping in 3) young child.
hard to keep up with things but thankful we can find true rest when we look for it!
I am in a season of change. My to do lists are still there, sometimes fuller than others. I have one son attending a trade school and the other is a Junior in high school. So I will soon be an empty nester. I had all these big plans to volunteer my time, and now I am sidelined by health issues that are making it difficult to get my “to do’s” accomplished, and of course the first thing to go was my Bible time. But I have pulled myself up by the bootstraps, and finished Beth Moore’s study on James, and was wondering what to start next. When I saw the cover of “Let It Go” it looked familiar – I am pretty sure I have already purchased this study, before my health problems. It seems God’s timing is perfect, and I think I will go find it to start tonight, so I keep my momentum going!
I guess I would have to say poor planning. I always put things off to the last minute. I guess the Bible reading is one of those things too. I think it works best for me, if I intentionally make time to read the Bible the first thing in the morning. But be assured that there are many mornings that I think I “don’t have time”.
Honestly it’s the hustle and bustle between a newborn, a six year old, her activities, work and marriage. I swear there just aren’t enough hours in the day! I try to sneak away in the bathroom for a few minutes to read my devotionals, but it doesn’t always happen before everything in the house goes into full swing!
Dare I admit to all of the reasons noted. Sometimes just one, other times multiple. When I do stay on track life is much more pleasant. Knowing this one would think it would be easier to stay on track. Unfortunately, this is not the case. I’ve slipped back to saying “I need to” instead of “I will” when it comes to doing the important things in my life. I will change that back, and I will keep it changed,
I am in a season of Great change. I have gotten a chance to even get to anything that pertains to me reading the things that give a spiritual uplift. For I so desire to do such. It’s what I enjoy and I am strengthened by it, My eldest daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer just 16 months after my diagnosis. We both have the same diagnosis, yet hers was a little more aggressive than mine. In all this I just pray that as I encourage her that we both can celebrate days of devotion with the Lord being in the midst of us. In advance I say: Thank You LORD.
Poor time management! I waste time doing non important things and then don’t have time for the important!
I have been definitely doing more scurrying than sitting. Will have to plan better and give my to do list to HIM.
At this point in time, it’s lack of sleep with a newborn in the house and 4 other children to tend to. I am running two successful businesses with my husband and a household. In fact, it took me – literally – all day to fold one load of laundry yesterday! These days, God has my attention when I’m showering…the only quiet time I have! *lol* I am MAKING the time from now on in the morning before anyone gets up. Between feedings for my two-month-old and breakfast for the older children before school has now been claimed for MY time with God!
I think it’s the season of life coupled with time management (3 kids ranging from pre-K – 5th grade, FT WOHM, volunteering, etc…), I don’t put priority on the ‘me’ time, including the spiritual aspects necessary for self-care.
Shutting my mind off to all the other distractions in my day. I am always thinking ahead of what needs to be done next. Something I need to work in.
Definitely it’s usually either my to do list is so long or else I am so tired I can’t think. Or so I tell myself! I need to get intentional with studying God’s Word as we are expecting our first child and I want to be remembered as a Mom who took time for God. And NOW is the time to establish that commitment!
I struggle with sleeping too late. I manage to get my time in, but don’t feel it’s as focused as I am when I manage to do it in the morning before life crowds in.
I get sidetracked by not having a defined reading purpose. I have been reading a chapter a day for years and then I write in my prayer journal. Lately, it seems I am so used to reading the same stories and verses I fail to see and hear and feel God’s complete message. I think its become to routine and I need to break out of my rut.
I get distracted by the things that must be handled in the morning, then don’t get around to a time with God, which is the MOST important thing to be done. I just need to set an alarm to remind me to sit with God after everyone is fed and happy.
My problem is that I forget that “God will supply ALL of my needs according to His riches in Christ”. I forget that though there will always be many “needs”, God does not always call ME to fill them. And I forget to embrace the truth that God will bend time and events in my favor if only I would “seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness”. I am trying to remember and not forget to receive the blessings He has for me as I sit at His feet and “let it go”! Bless you Karen Ehman for your wisdom and insights. They bless my socks off.
for me, it is not scheduling the time. My life is so busy, as it is for most of us, and I schedule other things in but tend to not do that in my quiet time, so I need to be intentional about that if I really want it to happen.
I appreciate your list of 5 things to do. They will help me get motivated to get myself a journal, pen and get started…..hopefully will win this one.
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Being disorganized and not being able to stick with it ……..is why I am not scheduling or keeping my time with God
Just life’s distractions – phone buzzing, “one more thing” on FB or the web, the perpetual load of dishes or laundry, homeschooling, a child that needs help on the potty, a dog that needs to go out – there’s always SOMETHING that needs to be done.
Poor planning……I journal my prayers but there are days when I oversleep, am too exhausted at the end of the day, yadda yadda yadda. I need to be more intent on the fact that my day runs SO much better when I seek Him first.
I want to thank you for your great devotional. You girls at Proverbs 31 are an inspiration to me. You all do such a great job and your devotionals always come just when I need to hear that message. It seems the older I get the more I have to work at staying focused. It doesn’t take much to distract me. I try to keep my thoughts on scripture, but something will pop into my head and the next thing you know I’ll be thinking of something else. The best thing for me to do is pray aloud.
Tons of distractions allowed. Need to find time when family and events cannot creep in and KEEP it:)
I do spend time with God every day, for 45 minutes to an hour. But I don’t always have free time to sit and just talk to Him. That’s because of this season of my life. I’m a widowed mom of two little boys under 8. Plus I’m in school. So I don’t feel I always spend as much time with Him as I need.
To be honest it is all of the things you mention as well as me overly thinking things. And believing that it doesn’t matter what I do or how I do it cause I just don’t do it right due to me not really knowing what I am doing. I just keep trying to learn, grow and develop a deep burning desire to follow and obey the Lord.
I struggle with adrenal fatigue. I am just plain tired all the time. I know I need to spend time with the Lord early in the morning before the day really starts or else the day takes over & I won’t do it. But when that alarm goes off, every part of my body wants to stay in bed. I force myself to get up and at least find my quiet place to pray–if I’m not faithful in covering my family, who else is? God is faithful–I can sleep on Saturday. ;-)
I found your site thru P31 online studies. Amazing! I believe this is a word for me today! I truly needed to hear this…I don’t want to be distracted from giving my Lord full attention! Thank you Lord for loving me anyway.
lilia
I forgot to add what distracts me…
I get distracted trying to do it all myself. Clean here, organize there, plan here and there…then I just run out of time! Oh Lord Thank you for your loving Mercy~!
Sleeping in for me. Every day my intention is to start the day EARLY with my Lord, alarm set, ambitious and ready to go! Then out of nowhere the alarm goes off, what?!?! I am so thankful for every second with God, but I am hungry and thirsty for more. To know Him more, to experience Him in new ways. Those days when I get up early and have set aside enough time to not just pray, making my petitions to Him, but to hear His response and spend time in His presence are the days that change me. :)
Anything that helps to enrich my walk with God is such a blessing.
I feel guilty of sitting still & not doing something that I know needs to be done
Wow… I can relate to almost all of these comments. I even find myself arguing with myself about getting up and getting my Bible and devotional in hand. I recently read through the Bible on Route 66 with my church and was excited most of the way through. I looked forward to reading the next passages. Then, it was over… I haven’t found my direction to start a consistent reading program since the end of the year. I read several daily devotionals, including Proverbs 31, daily, but miss the consistency that Route 66 provided. Thanks for the tips and suggestions. I definitely am going to try this and get focused to sit …with Jesus every morning.
When I try to focus on alone time with God- my mind wanders so much. It distracts me
I love that about being intentional….that’s what I’ve been trying to do lately. I lead a women’s birble study at church, plus work full time plus other obligations and responsibilities, so not a lot of time left over. But I know that if I don’t get recharged directly from the source, I will burn out quickly…..thanks for the great tips! God bless you, Karen!
I get distracted easily and have a hard time concentrating.
I am a procrastinator……..I put things off until the last minute and then I am scurrying around trying to get them done in time for time to start dinner. Then there’s the clean up and time with hubby and next thing I know it bedtime, I’m tired and I’ve not spent the time I really need with Jesus. Feeling I will be short changing Jesus and myself if I try to squeeze devotion time in while my eyes are half shut, I put it off until the next day and ………you see the cycle. I have been trying to be more intentional.
I was truly blessed by your devotion today. My one word for 2014 is “Pause” and this just drove that hom ea little more. I need to stop, drop & pray!!!
Poor time management and just my own thoughts …. they jump tracks and I can’t seem to concentrate on what I want to pray or journal or read …
My to do list gets in my way for spending time with the Lord. I get frustrated when I don’t accomplish the things I need to get done, so some days I just want to get started right away. Of course, my thinking is that I will get to spend time later in the afternoon, but many times that does not happen.
Thank you for the five devotion time ideas. I will definitely be using them!!
I must tell you that the idea of bringing my “to do” list with to pray over and lay it down before the Lord just brings me such peace!
I like to sleep late in the morning. In the evening I’m tired and want to relax and not think. I let myself get busy and distracted from God.
Thank you for these wonderful ideas! i have the best of intentions but then life takes over and before I know it the day has ended. Hopefully these ideas will help me get more organized. i especially like the idea about keeping a list of the commandss Lord has for us. i’ve always struggled with what to write in a journal. this is a great place to start.
In prayer I don’t spend enough time in total silence to give the Lord a chance to speak.
I’d have to say the first is just deciding what to do. I never have been one to just sit open the bible to whatever it opens to and read. I always have to have a plan. For 3 years I read my NLT bible in a year bible and wanted to read a different version of the bible, so I got really stuck on what to do next. So, I decided to read a devotional for a change. I am reading an Emilie Barnes book. Still want to get more into the Word though.
This really spoke to me. I plan for many things but not time for God. Then my day gets busy and when is late and tired, my mind can’t concentrate. I need to make time by planning it. I love the Idea of keeping a journal about my thoughts.
Thank you Karen for this wise advise. My devotional time and prayer time are helping me grow so much more than I ever thought possible! And this advice is what I really need to heed when dealing with my husband and also some with my children, it’s amazing what a blessing you can be in your children’s life if you listen to them
I do better during the week when my husband is gone to work and the 4 kids are at school. I love my quiet/alone time with God. The weekend is another story. Everyone is there and my routine is blown! I do get my devotions read and my Jesus Calling. I’ll even read to the family on the way to church on Sunday’s.
My biggest distraction is trying to do too many things at once. I often have too many irons in the fire, and even when i sit down and say I’m going to have my quiet time before I do anything else, things pop into my mind and I “have to get it started – or at least write it down so I don’t forget” and then I am off track again. I need to learn to sit and be quiet – and maybe find a different environment where I won’t get distracted by “life”
The timing of this couldn’t have been more perfect for me. I have always been “Martha”, keeping everything together and wanting everything to be perfect. My current circumstances are challenging and when things are out of control, I try to take control of other things in my life. Your “5 Ways to Sit at His Feet” are wonderful and can’t wait to use them. Thank You!!! I am thankful for God’s endless grace and mercy and know that even though he is shaking his head some days, he is also smiling because he knows my heart. I may be a mess, but I’m God’s mess. Pray for me :)
Thanks to God’s grace, over the past 30 years my life has been a roller coaster of time spent with God then a time where i wouldn’t. i know it is best for me in the morning the very first thing. as long as my daily routine is not changed I do fine, but that is not how life goes. At times, wanting to not get up early has been the excuse for not having time. it is a discipline and God always draws me back to Him.
This is so simple Karen, and we miss out on much. For me, it’s just distractions. Like Peter said “what I want to do I don’t, and what I don’t want to do, I do.” (my paraphrase). I have good intentions, but not the focus to carry out my “good intentions.” Thanks for this today.
Busyness…getting caught up in my day and not being intentional. I love this blog. Thank you!
Not being intentional…I also loved the non-negotiable notebook….Just started it. I have been studying 1 and 2 Peter, there are a few in there…Thank you…I will pass it on…
Thanks for your post today. I am easily distracted and think of all the things I have to do, and the limited time I have with God. Thanks for the wonderful ideas.
Between work, teenage son 17yr, husband, house, I feel that I never have adequate time to spend in bible study and prayer. Love this post.
I do like to sleep in and sometimes I put that ahead of getting up and getting in the groove with God. At night my bad habit is TV. I get sucked in and I can’t seem to turn it off! But I do see a big difference in my day when it begins and ends with Jesus. Keeping Him in my focus helps with getting out of bed and turning off the TV. After all, Matthew 6:21 does say “wherever you store your treasures, there your heart will be also.” I don’t want my treasures on TV, there’s nothing but mostly trash on it anyway.
Pregnancy right now. Dis organization and exhaustion ;)
I allow myself to get distracted too easily! I do the Proverbs 31 devotional every morning, or I try, but then see an email I must answer, a call I must take and before I know it I am out the door wondering what happened to my alone time with my God.
I’ve been off track for so long and I stay way too distracted with life. I so need to get back on track and focused in every area.
Disorganization and not making time with God the priority it should be. I’m working on it though. With God’s help I will succeed.
My quiet time suffers when my normal schedule and routine get out of balance. Two weeks ago my son and I were sick for a week and I missed my quiet time and I haven’t been able to get back on track ever since :(
I am finally getting my Bible study and reading each day but it is at the end of the day with the cares of caring for a family and home schooling. I struggle with scripture memory. Thank you for your ideas
That infamous “to do” list keeps distracting me. My mind wanders and I feel so guilty. Also, I must do a better job of intentionally setting quiet time to spend with God. Written prayers have always helped me focus and push aside distractions. I have gotten away from them and realize I need to begin again. Thanks for your suggestions. I pledge to work on them and with Gods help, I will succeed.
Things “of the world” distract me and try to keep me from the things of God. Surviving life keeps me from having the time to do what I want to do for myself. Carving out quiet time to spend in prayer is something that I not only want to do, it is something I must do. I know that when I am far away from Him, I am the one who moved. :)
Oh my goodness, God must be so ready for me to “get it!” Today’s devotion was a “screenshot” of my day. It almost seemed as if someone was following me around and taking notes. Then to click the link to this page and read about sitting at His feet, wow, how I need to learn to do that! God has shown me in His very kind and humble way that I am a disorganized, tired, poor-time-manager! I do hear his voice encouraging me to start my day earlier sometimes,, but figure He must be kidding. I am in a changing season of life too, so to say I need his daily guidance to stay on track is an understatement! I had never even thought of keeping a journal, so that is something I want to start utilizing immediately. How do you know what devotion God wants you to read, there are so many. And what do you do when you read a devotion that leaves you flat? Do you dig deeper into it to try and find God in there, or continue searching for another that relates to what is on your mind? I think I need some instruction and guidance on how to do devotions and what to expect from them.
Sleeping in is my biggest distraction. When I get up I feel the crunch to start “doing,” and plan to spend time with God later.. but that doesn’t always happen!
Sleeping in and a mind that never seems to stop thinking about everything happening in life. Praying out loud seems to help, though.
What keeps me from spending time with God is honestly because of the season I have been in with trusting Him shaping my heart – and the cares and worries I have right now in my life with school, family and letting God be God. I actually have this feeling where I am needed to reach an expectation that is really not there – towards the some of the most important things in my life, and when I do find that time to be with God, I find myself to believe that I am simply His.
I like to think it’s my children. Yep, those wonderful blessings require time and energy and care so I stay up too late and wake up too early, it seems, and I don’t have the uninterrupted time I want to spend in the Word. However I know it is my own selfishness and laziness as far as prioritizing that really causes me to not spend as much time with the Lord.
I love talking to God. Here lately though I’ve been going through some health issues. I’ve notice that I use that as an excuse not to wake up early to talk to Him. Then when I do wake up, I’m still tire from being sick and have all the stuff I want to do. These steps are so helpful in putting my priorities in place. The Lord should always be First. Thank you for the reminder and fot these steps. When we pray we talk to God, when we read the bible God talks to us. God bless you
What distracts me the most from spending time with God is becoming overwhelmed thinking about everything else I must do. I think of all the things that I don’t do or didn’t do the day before . I tend to focus on my struggles instead of spending time telling God about them and letting Him take all my burdens.
Wow, I think my problem is a combination of the things you mentioned. Lack of planning – or rather being consistent, and thinking of all I need to get busy doing because I should have been up earlier! Why is it so hard to do what I know I should be doing??
All apply except sleeping in…a big thing is getting my mind quieted from zooming through thoughts and shoulds and shoulda. The 5 steps are a good plan.
My list of to-dos which I guess would equate to poor time mgmt. Also, I feel weird just sitting down and trying to pick a passage randomly out of the Bible. So I typically opt for devotionals but don’t add time with God at the end because I’m so pressed for time.
Definitely, poor time management on my part. Life has been too chaotic, and I definitely need to reorganize my schedule to be certain my time with God is first and foremost each day. Your 5 steps are just the plan to get me back on track.
Sometimes my brain is going so fast about so many things that it feels like a roulette wheel that never stops. It sometimes is like that when I try to pray. I lose focus and become so distracted. God deserves more of my undivided attention than I can give at times like that because it is when I need him most. I once read that everyone ought to pray one-half hour a day; if you’re busy then all the more reason to pray … make it an hour with God to take your worries away. Wish I could credit the writer – it’s so true. Also, I find that the time I do give in prayer is always blessed in some way … even when I’m busy and my brain is spinning like a roulette wheel. At times like that, God is so good, especially when I simply pray,, “thy will be done”.
As a busy mother of 3 young children ages 6-10, simple distractions, to-do lists, the needs of my family, work and sleep all seem to compete for my daily quiet time. I know the busyness of the day will take over, so morning is my best time to stop and have quiet time with the Lord. But the snooze button often calls me, and I trade my set aside time with the Lord for a few extra minutes of sleep. At the time, I just feel so tired…but when I wake, I realize that I have traded my golden time with Christ for a few extra zzzs. At that point, I find myself squeezing in a “quiet time” during the day, but it is more of a spiritual snack vs. a spiritual meal.
My alarm goes off at 4am and it’s me, Jesus and my Bible. Whatever else my day holds often times doesn’t leave me much time for prayers other than thanking Him and telling Him I love Him so I am intententional first thing in the morning and before I close my eyes at bedtime. This was a good read. Thank you for the insight. God bless.
Time alone to think and focus. If I don’t wake up before the kiddos (very early risers!), my time is riddled with interruptions of all sorts. After working all day, making dinner, and putting kids to bed, I have papers to grade and lessons to plan! By then I’m exhausted and have a hard time staying awake! I’m a morning person, so waking up earlier would be my best option. I need to be more disciplined to do that! It makes such a difference!!
Mostly my kids. I have 3 young kids ages 5, 3, and 9 months that take so much of my time. And, they get up by 6am usually, so I have to get up pretty early in the morning, but that is usually when I find time to read the bible. And I am not a morning person, so sometimes that is hard to do.
WOW! Exactly what I needed to read today! I have time, I have my coffee, and I have desire…..but the “battle is not between us but between principalities” …….what keeps me from sitting at the feet of the Lord each morning is a battle that’s not always mine……my way through it is to ask God to be with me before my feet hit the ground in the morning…and then purposefully walk toward Him.
I didn’t read through all the comments, but I’m sure this echos the struggles of other young moms. As a stay at home mom of 5, trying to home school and meet the demands of mommy, wife, frIend, and church responsibilities can be overwhelming many times. The quiet of early morning is the best time for me to “sit at His feet” but too many times I allow sleep or other distractions to steal what I know I need most from me. Thank you for your reminders and suggestions to refocus my priorities and intentions.
I liked your number one idea because that is what distracts me the most — my to do list. Thank you for that suggestion.
I try to do too many things before work; many of the things are not important and could be done later or not at all. Other more important things go undone because time has run out and I have to leave for work.
I couldn’t sleep in this Saturday morning, and I quickly became frustrated by the fact that the one day I allow myself the time to get some extra rest, my mind was up early racing through the thoughts of both the past and upcoming week. One of my reflections on this past week was that I let another week go by without getting in God’s word. I decided I would go ahead and get up and do a quick devotional this morning to help get me motivated for making more of a commitment to getting in the Word next week… Our God is so awesome that he knew my struggle at that very moment and the first devotion I came across was this one! Day in and day out my busy work schedule leaves me drained. While I love the work that I do, it is God that provides me the strength and knowledge to do my job; so I must look to Him as my ultimate employer! Thank you for sharing this devotional; it has truly motivated me and I just love it when I know God has heard me and answered! God bless each of you!
It is a common theme to hear about life getting in the way of spending time with Him. I have multiple excuses, but the advice about being intentional struck home with me. I am a school teacher who always bring her job home with her. I need to realize that spending time in. God’ sword will help me be more effective in the classroom. Thanks for the tips.
My to do list! I always want to get that load of laundry started, or get dinner in the crock pot, or etc . . . . Then I will sit down for devotions. Works much better if I get up before everyone else, grab a mug of warm lemon water ….do NOT start the coffee pot. Sit with warm lemon water click on YouVersion and GO.
Thank you for your timely advice. I’ve been struggling with spending time with God in the midst of my busy workday. I love the suggestion to pray through my to do list. What a great way to bring God to my job.
I have a my quiet time with the Lord most mornings, but sometimes I feel as is I am just going through the motions. I receive many daily scriptural emails and find myself reading them and each and everyone always speaks to me. I think I need to dwindle the list of these to only 2 and really delve into the Bible verses and study from there. I am in a weekly Bible Study (Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore) and love being with my sisters in Christ each week for this study. I have that time scheduled each week as well as the morning quiet time. I struggle with my prayer time and becoming so distracted each time. Oh, Satan can be so devious to distract us and make us feel guilty about it. Thank you for your blog. God Bless,
Great tools for making time for God. I think our busy lives get in the way of taking the time we so desperately need to spend with our Lord and Savior. I pray all day long but sometimes I forget to get my Bible and take the time to work on it. I have daily devotionals that I read but some time I just get too busy. Thanks for the tools, they will be used.
Love this devotional and suggestions! Thank You! My to – do list distracts me from spending time with God! Looking forward to using the suggestions!
I so appreciate your devotionals and insight, Karen ! I wish someday God would speak so eloquently through me. Alas, I will need to stay on task and better budget the time God gives me. God bless all who so love Him and strive to use our time for Him !
I find that I am my own worst enemy. While staying with my daughter for a couple of months during an internship quite a distance from home, I found reading scripture and devotions worked better for me at bedtime. It gave me peace. My mind didn’t race and I was able to fall asleep better. The only problem was that once I fell asleep I lost from my memory all that I had read because I had to keep the room dark so I wouldn’t disturb my daughter while she slept (we shared the same room) so I never wrote anything down. I could have chosen any time of the day to read but chose night for peace. Now that we are now back home, I don’t want to read at night because I know I will disturb my husband’s sleep but I still want that peace at night. I know I need to do more than read but I just cant seem to discipline myself to do so. However I do like your 5 step plan and I definitely like the thought of recording verses. So this could be God’s way of saying it’s time for a change. :)
Thank you!
Mostly my family members distract me from time with God. Someone always needs something from Mama. To avoid this I get up earlier than anyone else and have my quiet time alone with God. It has been very successful. I am grateful for the time with The Lord.
Mine is time management and actually doing. I talk a lot and plan a lot but don’t then delegate the time and effort to actually do it. I need help getting my quiet time together and make it useful for me to make me more productive for God!
I get distracted by not fully focusing on what I am doing. I am in grad school and try to do too many things at once.
It seems like something is always distracting me someone will call or come or the dog needs to go out! I think I should set a time earlier in the day.
monk5 at charter dot net
I’m most distracted by jumping in everywhere wanting to help out, host an event at our home, provide a meal, take SS kids to an event, fundraise – whatever. If its a good idea, I want to be involved and often feel like I need to be to help make it happen. Small church and my husband is the pastor! So I would sum it up as ME is my biggest distraction in spending time with the Lord. Hellllpppppppp
My distraction is usually all the things I have to get done today. I jump right into the day instead of spending time with God and giving Him my day. I love the section on praying about the to-do list. All of the sections in this devotional were really helpful to me. Thank you Karen!.
I have a regular time with the Lord in the morning first thing before I get ready for work, but I have realized I still have to guard my heart and mind from being distracted. The real issue for me is not the time, but the condition of my heart. I think sometimes we create (or allow) the busyness in our lives to avoid facing the reality of what is in our hearts. Thanks for this devo ….blessed me! :)
Not doing it immediately when I get up. Once I get going on other things, it gets pushed to the side. I need to start my day with my appointment with God and not let anything distract me until I’m done. Thanks for all your great writings..
At this point in my life I haven’t quite figured out how I go about getting close to God. I am in the learning stage and am reading different things that are helping me learn what to do to get to him and I must say when my sister introduced me to this site I now am learning exactly where to start. So glad I found you.
My biggest distractin and obstacle to time with The Lord is me! My voice in my head can be so much louder than my desire to sit with Jesus! I need a mute button for my thoughts!!
I really think what sidelines my time with the Lord the most is not being intentional about it. I have a wonderful busy life with my husband and three sons, and a somewhat unpredictable, yet rewarding part-time job at school. The best thing I can do is set a daily time with God each and every day. Thanks for the encouragement and a much needed push in the right direction.
Blessings,
Amy
Thank you for the focus this blog post has provided. I know for myself, my lack of focus really causes me trouble. I’m currently reading through the Bible in a year, participating in an OBS via Proverbs 31, reading through Suzie Eller’s new study book, not to mention leading a Bible study with friends and (trying to) read a few other “Jesus books”. It’s too much! All of those things are great but it’s just too much. I can’t maintain this and do everything else in a day and so I get worn out and start beating myself over my head with my failure. What I need to do is accept God’s grace, slow down and pace myself from here.
The season of my life keeps me from really getting anything accomplished, I think. I am constantly looking back at the opportunities I have squandered because I am afraid to succeed. I am constantly reminding myself of the violence that has kept my goals from fruition. I am tired of self-sabotage and ‘wanting’ to change, but doing nothing consistently in order for it to come fortuitously true.
wow, this feels like its speaking directly to me… I would assume that a bunch of busy women/moms feel the exact same way. thank you for your words and wisdome!
I’ll echo the sentiments of so many of the sweet ladies who have already responded. Being intentional is high on my list but low on carry-through. I’ve found that by allowing myself flexibility on what time of day to spend with the LORD, makes it easier for me to do so. I was beating myself up too much if I didn’t do it early in the day, so would just write the day off to a total loss. Sometimes, it works better for me to have my quiet time in the afternoon or shortly before I go to bed. My goal is to have regular morning time with Him, but right now, just having time, be it short or long, is feeding my spirit.
I am a Martha through and through. Like you, I get out of bed with a to-do list a mile long. I am most often distracted by my computer. I feel the urge to turn it on first thing and see what emails have come in and what I need to respond to. Then that leads to answering them, or it reminds me of something else I need to do and of course all of my facebook notifications come that way, so often it leads me to answer someone’s message on facebook! My desire is to start my day with God, but with a house full of kids that isn’t always easy. I usually find my way to a cup of tea and my bible by 10 am and then I finally feel settled into my day. I know that if I don’t put God into my day, it is frazzled and often feels pointless. When I do take the time, I am always blessed.
I get distracted by cleaning my hpuse .
Thank you for all the suggestions. It’s time add spending time with God to the “to do” list!
….getting my priorities out of order…..
Very good post. I definitely need to get INTENTIONAL. I love the idea of making an appointment. I set up other reminders on my phone. I need to do it for time with God as well.
My to do list …. and bad habits!
Oh my, where to begin. When I awake my mind just starts to race and I just start off full speed. The to do list is unending. I need to be more organized. I know that a calmness will fill my soul if I take that step to stop and listen to what He is saying to my heart. I need to schedule Him into my day at a quiet moment instead of praying while I rush from this to that.
I get so caught up in my day-to-day tasks with my household chores and my two year old daughter, as well as working from home, that I don’t make the time I need to to read my Bible and talk to God. But I’m working on it, everyday.
I am trying to balance being a stay at home mom to 3 kids.. the wife I need to be and owning my own business. I need to learn to have bible study time for me daily is part of my daily routine as well as a bible study for the kids. Trying to balance it all… need help.
Disorganization – but I found music helps to draw me near – especially the song, Sitting at the feet of Jesus. I especially like the first verse: Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day;
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past;
For His love has been so gracious,
It has won my heart at last.
I need to “be” more in all areas of my life. I find myself constantly thinking I the next thing. I treasure my quiet time with The Lord but often feel like I walk away and not remember what I was studying!
Disorganization and time management
My to do list and the day ahead! Thank you so much for this post.
Thank you for this great message. It seems I get easily sidetracked and swept away from focused time with God. I’ve always liked the thought of being intentional. I need consistency in treating my time alone with God as important as any other appointment.
I need to be intentional. It isn’t going to happen unless I intentionally set aside time with God! I need to do that daily!
I just can’t seem to keep my mind on things. My brain wanders all over the place and I can’t seem to reel myself back to the task at hand. I want to do what I need to do in a timely manner, I just don’t know how!!!
I get distracted by just about everything. I feel like that sweet little mouse in” If you give a mouse a cookie” book. And I end up thru my whole day ending on what I started but nothing finished just small attempts along the way. Good intentions of waking up early to have devotional time but then I’m so tired.
I realize these are just excuses, the easy way out of giving up but not owning that I am giving up.
When I do focus first on my sweet Savior then my focus is filtered thru Him.
Thanks for reminding me!
Blessings!
My kids getting up early is my biggest distraction.
Distractions have to be my biggest problem.
Ah, yes. I need to learn to Breathe and Let BE. I find I am in the Busy BEe mode far too often. I so appreciate this post, reminding me of my True BEacon in matters of worth.
I’m most distracts by my computer and the desire to get online. I have a lot of books, including devotionals on my kindle which I can access from my kindle app, I use an online bible app, and I use an app for note taking so it so easy to pop over to Facebook or check my email and before I know it an hour has passed me by. Using an old fashioned paper bible and pen & paper might be a better choice.
Great tips. I especially like the last one. My goal starting tomorrow is to make intentional quiet time for God with my bible, a favorite chair and a notepad. I will use your tip 5 as I start this new tradition.
Plain & simple-allow everything to take presedence over my time with God. I make time on my daily plan, however do not follow thru.
Sleeping in after being up with the baby all night. Love the ideas of to-do list and writing out commands. I have just started journaling this year and find it most helpful.
I try to read my bible each morning but I can get distracted by the news on tv that morning or if I sleep in I don’t have the time to spend in God’s word because I can’t be late for work.
Hello ladies,
I need to be more intentional with my time with God. Sometimes I’d be with Him in the morning if He’d wake me up early or at night or on lunch break but whatever the case I should make time and get a plan n prep like Karen said. And if I plan at night but He wants to wake me up early that’s ok too cause He can change our schedule around if He wants cause He’s God n we have to leave room for what He wants to do. He will honor our obedience and love in making the effort to be with Him.
I get up at 5:00 everyday to spend my time with God. My distraction is when others are awake in the household. That is easily handled by making sure I get up long before everyone else! This still gives me plenty of time to be at work by 8 on the weekdays and to worship team rehearsal by 7:30 on Sundays. It wasn’t always this way, it was just identifying what was getting in my way and solving it. I love my time with God. It gets me awake and going better than coffee ever did!!
Poor time management and an ADD brain. I get up early so I have time to have devotions and get things done but i get so easily distracted. Laundry on the floor, dishes on the counter, toys strewn around, etc. When I do sit down to pray/have devotions my mind whirls. I love your suggestion of taking my to do list with me to pray. I’m definitely going to try this and see if it helps me stay focused. I can jot down my ideas and not have to worry about forgetting something but still be able to finish praying/having devotions without distractions hanging over my head.
For me I think it is that I haven’t made it a priority to spend time at the feet of Jesus so I forget to even think about it. I need to be more mindful to crave God and seek Him out in my day. I am not a list person so I need to find another way to schedule my quiet time.
This was wonderful! I’m a wife, mom to a five year old boy, and a special education teacher. My life is busy and has gotten busier due to my job and stress induced health issues. I so appreciate your points today. I needed these to make my time with God well spent. Thanks so much! I love the Bible’s non negotiables!
The first thing in the morning I have to feed my darling kitties (3) and then get ready for the day. After I fix breakfast I read a devotional. It takes all of 15-20 minutes. I need to find a time where I can just delve into the Word without feeling I should be doing something productive! I have more energy in the morning and feel I need to direct it towards the home but then I wind up in front of the computer for too long. It is a time trap that causes me unnecessary information overload. May God be merciful to give me the direction to just spend time with Him in prayer and writing His Word so it can grow deeply within my heart.
My biggest distraction for time spent with God is sitting in the wrong place. If I sit in the kitchen in view of everything undone I feel unsettled and need to get something cleaned up first. If I try for my bedroom, the same issue, too many things that need doing or I am tired just seeing my bed and long for some rest. It is hard to tune out the to do list. Thanks for sharing all your ideas. They are so helpful. Jeanne
Thank you for this direction some days I just seem to get too busy…I know it is wrong by living proof…but your way sure helps to encourage just how doable it is, as well as how neccessary… Praise God for you and all of the Proverbs 31 ladies for reaching me …
Thank you for sharing. My heart needed to read this today.
I don’t use my time wisely.
I sometimes think I can’t sit with Jesus until I have everything else taken care of. Since there is always something to do, it is a daily battle to go to Him first. Everything does flow so much nicer after.
For me it is the outside distractions, the phone ringing, people outside and walking.
Lack of planning on my part.
Anything that disrupts my scheduled quiet time means that devos just don’t get done that day – I’m not very good at prioritizing when my routine is changed.
Thank you for posting! I am a college student, and sometimes I use that as an excuse to be “too busy” for God. However, I have done a lot of realizing that God desires to meet with me… and the more I seek His face, the more I hunger for a bigger dose of Who He is.
I would looove to win that give-away! Coffee is one thing that I always have on hand during my morning times with the Lord. :) have a great day!!
I just found you! So glad I did and I look forward to more! Blessings!
Season of my life.
New job.
Grandma on duty.
I make such great plans. Commitment and plan and something always happen.
But when I can I spend some time in my office at school alone before students start filling the library.
Disorganization, lack of focus, sleeping in, the busyness of the day, spending too much time doing other things like being on Facebook–all things that I all too often allow to interfere with my quiet time with God. I need to be more intentional as mentioned above instead of it being something I do “if if can just find the time.”
My problem is a combination of poor time management during the day and wanting to sleep in, but when I do get up early I find myself distracted with my to-do list and getting everything done and ready to get kids to school. I love your tips to help get intentional with our quiet time. Thanks so much!
I spend time with God each morning but during my quiet time my mind tends to wander to the work day and what is ahead. I need to keep refocusing by turning those thoughts and worries over to God knowing He is in complete control.
This past week the distraction has been caring for my kids that have been down with the flu and then needing rest myself. It seems that life is my biggest distraction right now with kids ranging in age from 2-15 and homeschooling and exercising and trying to care for our home.
I work full time and have 3 kids of my own and my husband and I foster kids. I cannot seem to find any quiet time until I am sitting in my car waiting to go into work. I know I need to keep a better schedule! Thanks for the tips!
Hmm…not sure I can pick just one. I feel like I am the queen of distractions! If it isn’t one thing, it’s another. I’m really trying to focus on spending time with God more making it a priority, but it’s definitely been a challenge. I feel like I am always behind in one area or another. The funny thing is, when I do spend time with Him, I find that my whole day goes better and I don’t feel as stressed. That alone should keep me motivated.
The season of life I’m in! My children are 8 and under and they take up 99% of my time…The other 1% is time spent in the bathroom lol
I have trouble just quieting my mind. I am easily distracted and so busy. I have trouble concentrating on one thing and tend to multi task. Which prevents me from truly being in the moment.
Things for me don’t happen unless I schedule them. I need to be intentional, great idea. Thanks for the studies, so helpful. I will search out the book, not it would be syncrnistic too win it.
These are great words of wisdom! I have my appointment with God first thing in the morning, it starts my day off right!
Circling thoughts, I can’t quiet my mind…
Technology distracts me from study time .
I have found that in the morning first thing I am able give my time and attention to God which in turn keeps me in the zone to take care of me…but once I am at work it unravels…I need to work on taking god with me to work…let him guide me and carry me through the day so I am not so stressed or exhausted from the pressures of the day ..I definitely need to become more intentional and use the ideas you suggested in channeling my focus and direction.
For me the problem is making my time intentional. I struggle with scheduling a time and sticking to it. It gets lost in my day and frequently ends up just not happening.
I so love this idea…this will help me get my to do list done and not get upset because I did not start it or got distracted… It will make a difference with how I react to things as well… This will help me memorize scripture my that I can rely on on a daily basis!
This was just what I was talking to daughter about this morning. I want to show her how to does now while she is young so that she doesn’t have stumble on “what does it mean to have a quiet time / study time with God?” When she gets older.
I have great intentions of planning time into my day to spend with God. Then it just doesn’t happen… I need to be more intentional. No, I WILL be more intentional. Thank you for all the great ideas. God Bless.
Life distracts me, when I start my day with the Lord, I respond better to the stresses of my day. I love to play quiet music, harp or piano, and sit, I write, I journal, I read, I even unplug the phone, the phone ringing , my hubby coming home, they distract me. I need to be alone to not be alone with my Lord.
My biggest distraction is me. Simply and honestly put.
Really, just selfishness. Wanting to use my time on myself…forgetting how much it is I who NEEDS that time with Him.
I get up early every morning to spend time with God. I am very intentional about it on {most days} but I do get distracted with electronics, social media, my to do list, etc, particularly if I am reading my Bible on my phone or tablet. I have decided to intentionally fast from electronics – not cutting it out completely but definitely being aware of the time I spend focused on things not of God.
Thank you for the words of encouragement.
Feeling overwhelmed, allowing time management related to “unscheduled” time to fall by the wayside, and giving in to the constant distractions of day-to day life.
Life-work, home, cooking, cleaning, errands, but I have learned that having a daily devotion sent to my phone is not the perfect quiet time plan but it allows me to read and pray even if briefly when I sit to wait at the dr office or for the next meeting to start etc!
Thanks for the great tips!
working nights, sleeping days cause me to always feel rushed. I don’t give proper attention to my Savior!
Thank you for the help
I get distracted because my mind wanders. I hate it but I will sit to study and pray and all of a sudden I am thinking of other things. I have started to write my prayers out and it really helps me. I got the ap called Scripture Typer and it is a real help for memorization. You can type, speak, read, flashcard verses and it really helps for my.
I love the idea of writing the commands down. I think that will really help it to sink into my heart, and recording my voice saying scripture to listen and memorize…genius!
… “simply leave us a comment on what most distracts you from spending time alone with God. Is it disorganization? Poor time management? Sleeping in? The season of life you are currently in? Or something else?” … ALL OF THE ABOVE! I have good intentions but I need to be intentional about keeping my priorities.
Procrastination is my biggest obstacle in time with God. I usually have good prayer time with the Lord when I shower in the morning. But reading the Word doesn’t happen every day because I keep thinking I will get around to it until the day is gone.
I would say my biggest distractions are not planning and time management. It’s not that I don’t have time I mostly just don’t make time and and then get to the end of the day and say gh well I’ll do it tomorrow. Great ideas here, I esp. The love the idea of writing down verses to memorize or recording them then listen on your daily walk!
Jenny in Florida
I was impressed to share the first point with my Bible Study ladies… I think the suggestion of intentionally praying over the to-do it wonderful! Thank you very much.
My distractions is poor planning and interruptions…. And excuses on why I did not do what I was suppose to do….. Like I told a friend the other day… and hit me in the head with a hammer at this moment…. If you really want to do it… you will…. So my excuse must be… I NEED to do it … No more excuses…..
I think my biggest struggle/excuse is distraction and poor time management. I like to be completely alone with I have my quiet time. Since there is almost always someone at home… I need to be more intentional at finding that time away from everyone daily to be with my Lord and sit at his feet.
Thank you for the breakdown. I know impersonally struggle with finding the time. Thank you so much for the direction. I will take this to heart. May you continue to hear God’s direction & may I listen so I may do the same.
I think my problem is just so much going on. I try to spend time in the word each morning. Problem is I often catch myself just speeding through and not slowing down to really listen.
It’s seems that I’m usually running behind and then I procrastinate and then become easily distracted when I actually sit down. I just keep thinking about everything else that needs to be done. I still start planning better.
If I don’t get up earlier in the morning to have my quiet time with God then more than likely I will not do it for the day. So I set my alarm for 30 minutes earlier than usual in order to have that precious time alone with God that I need daily. I look forward to sitting down with my Bible, journal, devotional & coffee and then letting God speak His truth to me! My life has changed so much since I started disciplining myself to do this.
Life in general. Being a newly recent single mom of 3 kids, trying to juggle them, college, and work to support them. There doesn’t seem to be time for much else.
Thank you for being a place to come! !
The thing that I allow to keep me from spending time with God is the feeling that I am just too busy. I am a kindergarten teacher and I am married to a man with special needs. He is in a wheelchair and cannot move his arms or legs so requires a lot of time and attention. I often feel I just have so much to do each day I don’t have time to sit down and read and pray. However, I know if I spend time with God first and ask Him to help me do what I need to do and have wisdom to discern what is priority and what is not, He will help me make the most of my day, and more importantly, to have peace while going through the day verses being in a stressful frenzy every day!
The season of life I’m in taking care of my mom since dad passed away takes A lot of my time! I just have to put each day in perspective and ask Gods help each day!!!
I dont like excuses when it comes to time with God. I know He should be my priority. That being said, different challenges in my life make it more difficult to make that timefor Him. I want to get up early and spend time with Him, but I am not a morning person. And usually when I get up, so does my 7 year olf and 3 year old. They hear a cricket stirring and wake up. :-) And they follow me to whereever I am in our house. We are now homeschooling and I find myself up late at night finalizing plans and learning lessons for the next day (its only the start of month 4 and I am still searching for rhythm). And some days I still struggle with the mild depression and anxiety I have from losing our 4th son at birth almost 1 year ago. Itwears me down and out even though I need to breathe God in even more than ever. I am thankful He waits for me, talks to me, and patiently keeps calling me to Him.
Poor planning and taking care of my family.
I’m not a morning person…it’s hard for me to get up, but I do! Getting a little better and regular!
I’m currently a full time nursing student, mother of 3, and a wife. I allow my studies to get in the way of everything I do. I’m persuing nursing because God called me to work in the mission field as one. Even though He has laid this path I walk it without putting Him first. I know it is wrong, but at my age I have to work even harder to do well. I fear looking away from my studies even for a moment will cause me to fail. It is wrong, but it is my struggle.
Working full time, having to practically run a household by my self due to my husband needing a liver and kidney transplant, having a granddaughter to watch a couple days a week, and so much to do and feeling overwhelmed pushes me away from spending private time with our Lord! I feel so disorganized and so distant at times from my time with Our Lord!
I loved your comment about being intentional and the dental appointment example.
How true is that, i plan for many parts of our day, but I always seem to put my quiet time on the back burner. Truly when I take time first thing in the morning, my day does go better.
So, I am committing to taking my quiet time in the morning…. praying to God that when that alarm rings.. NO EXCUSES… GETTING UP AND MEETING WITH JESUS.
Thank your the encouragement.
When I was still pumping at work I thought that would be a great time to spend with the Lord. Both the studies I attempted to do and my read the New Testament in a year were left behind during those 1-2 20 minute sessions. I can’t really even explain why it didn’t work. Part of it was thinking about all the patients left to sew in that session or the phone calls to insurance companies that I needed to make on office days. I was going to use those times to build God time into my day, but it didn’t work out. And now, nearly 6 months since I stopped pumping at work I am no closer. I just finished my first online Bible study. It ended yesterday and I caught up on the last 2 weeks of reading today. Poor time management is partially to blame. I don’t set a certain time aside at all. Part of that is because my house is so disorganized I don’t have a place to sit down without distraction (right now I’m sitting next to the bathtub as mu daughter plays and before screaming commences when I wash her hair) from kiddo or from the mess around me. The season of my life has a lot to do with it. Full time working (outside the home) mommy of 1 with hubby who works opposite schedule so we only have a sitter 1 a week. I try to exercise on my way home, a quick run at the park or stop at the gym, and then home to eat dinner, play with the kiddo, bath and bed. Then if hubs is still awake we may chat, but usually fall asleep on the couch before the wake ups begin (sleeping through the night is overrated).
I will start following on Facebook and try to make my daily time with the Lord more intentional.
Time management is my distraction. Being a home schooling mom is a full time job for me, but I know that if I just manage my time better and get up that extra 30 minutes in the morning or spend that hour before bed reading and studying instead of watching the television, I’d have that quality time with God that I’m looking for and needing. :)
My 11.5 month old takes up my days and when he’s sleeping, I sleep.
Season of life, time organization….. may be a little of all! I get up early & my kids get up early, or the child I watch shows up early, I start a study and then kids want to be a part & it takes off in a different direction. Can’t say that I’m sad about it, as I love the discussion & cuddle time with my kids, but it also keeps me from focusing directly & personally on/with him.
I always have the best intentions to get up and spend time with God; but… my own self gets in the way. I have ADD and my thoughts are here, there and everywhere. This is something I have really been praying over. I know when I am in the word and spending time with Jesus my day is so much better. I can always tell when I need spend more time there in his presence. I know He is always by my side, i need to learn to stand my His side daily!
Hey Sandie you are not alone! Somehow my laundry always.gets put away when I try to spend time with God… :-) just a note of encouragement.
He is always calling me to sit and be with Him but that requires vulnerability, and vulnerability is hard. So it’s not so much distraction for me as much as that hesitancy to be vulnerable. I’ve had the idea of journaling on my mind lately so I think I will give it a shot.
I think my season of life and my poor management of time causes me to loose precious time that I could be spending with God. I want to get back on track and make my time with Him a priority.
What distracts me most is myself. I have problems with fear, anxiety and depression so i have this fear of slowing down and finding time for God. Spending time with him gives me such peace but I let the lies of needing to sleep or do another activity or mindless task keep me from what I need the most.
I keep myself from making time to spend with God. I’ll tell myself I’m going to get early or before I go to bed but then I either didn’t get enough sleep the night before and then am too tired at night. I’ll even try to study when I’m work when it’s a slow down or at break but then I let distractions interrupt me. I just need to quit the expenses and do it.
I think everything distracts me. I work full time, have a young child, a long commute, wife, grad school, and trying to get closer to God.
I wake at 5:00 am every morning. I always have good intensions when heading to my sitting room and often accomplish devotions and prayer but I often get sidetracked with my journal or “catching up” with videos I’ve recorded. Goal is to keep TV off and stick to my devotions and prayer time!
My to do list. Busyness
I find that I get busy doing things @ home, work & other areas. This prevents me from putting the focus on God so I can sit at his feet. I am having a really hard time staying focused on God’s will for my life.
M distraction is taking care of elderly parents and I care for my 90 year old father in law. Also take care of grand kids. Some days are hard to juggle all the responsibilities and find time for me. I know I lack motivation as well. Praying I can gain insight, knowledge, and motivation to keep up with all this and have the energy to do so.
I love the idea of bringing your to do list to God! My hardest thing when going to Him in prayer and trying to study, is to “quiet” my mind and really focus. Thanks for the ideas!
Really need to read this tonight. Thank you.
I have no good excuse. I just get distracted with the many things on my list of to-do’s. If I don’t carve out the time early in the day, things get in the way. I am usually in conversation with God throughout the day, but I still need to sit and be still and focus on Him instead of me.
Discipline…I just need to do it…I’m a single 55 year old woman who lives alone…I have no excuses…except just lazy and undisciplined…thank you for bringing this to my attention! I’m going to study now!!!
Being a mom of 2 kids and and working a partime job which really is full time all if these. Distractions are in my life. I am working hard to be more diligent in doing my quiet time I love these points and plan to use he, Thanks Ericca Cantlay
One of my distractions in spending time with God is forgiveness. I was hurt by something that was said in a women’s Bible study then a few weeks later I questioned something said from the pulpit and there was no discussion, I was told I was flat wrong. So I left church in look for a church that is welcoming, loving. But unforgivness is blocking my growth and only hurting me.
I am my own biggest distraction. My mind wanders to my to do list, my split ends, or my nail that needs to be filed. I love the idea of recording verses and listening to the later. I need constant reinforcement.
Sleeping in is my worst distraction followed by pain level from CRPS & other issues. It’s funny that the pain level distracts me so much when I get home from work because all day I keep asking GOD to get me through or telling HIM I can’t make it and all that.
Thank you so much this really touched me so much and I am looking forward to some positive change .I feel like all I do is take care of everyone else and do not pick the right priorities especially God .So thank you so much for this blessings your way .
Setting aside time with the Lord needs to be a priority! Unfortunately, this is not my strong suit. Thank you so much for posting the 5 steps. I do take notes when I read the bible, but I don’t use audacity or write down the non-negotiable commands.
Skipping my appointment with God to “accomplish” other things on my list, telling myself I’ll go back to it when I get the other things done. Somehow I think I’ll be able to concentrate with that “other stuff” out of the way. Wrong!!
The season of life I am in is my distraction right now. I have a 4 month old & I am having a hard time getting on any kind of schedule because she doesn’t like to nap.
I love this! Thank you for the great idea of writing down intentional non-negotiable commands! Starting now!
I have soooo many devotionals, bibles etc…but I need to discipline myself to set a time for God. Obstacles and distractions get in the way..the answer is to choose Life…loved your posts..great ideas…now to make that choice….
Like Mary I get too caught up in the planning, preparing, and my mile long to do lists! I need to continue to force my self to get up and spend the first part of my morning with Jesus! I know it would help me in my attitude and actions at work an home!
My biggest distraction is my smartphone (um, I came across this article on Facebook, hello). And I thought about why is it easier to noodle around on my phone than do a bible study book or just read the Bible. And I think it’s that I’m afraid I won’t hear from God, so I keep putting off opening the Book…
What doesn’t keep me from having a quiet time with God? You name it & it has happened. I definitely need a kick in the pants to get me jump started back into a quiet time. Thank you for your helpful hints in your blog.
I need to unplug from the world and just Be Still!!! I must open my heart and my mind and focus on God.
Having 4 kids makes it so hard to get quiet time! And when I do, it’s hard to clear my mind of all the to-do’s!
Thank you for your 5 tips. Everything distracts me, especially electronics and my pets. I need to find a quieter place and be intentional
Sleeping in and watching TV are my biggest distractions from time with God.
I am very good about staying in the Word and studying when I am working on a particular Bible study or taking notes on a book I’m reading. HOWEVER, when I am not doing those things, for some reason, I get caught up in “life” and let my quiet times and my study times take second place in my life. I love your idea of recording verses for my mp3!
Distraction keeps me from sitting at his feet. Simple, unadulterated ADD!!!
When I get up in the morning, my mind immediately starts planning out all I need to accomplish that day. And there always seems not to be enough hours in the day. But I know that when I take time to read my Bible and pray, God blesses my day and help me accomplish much. When I neglect to spend time with Him, and continue to busy myself with all I feel I need to do, I don’t get near as much done, and I have suffered spiritually. And I haven’t spent time with my Abba, Father, how sad it must make him feel.
I am easily distracted by other things around me and allowing my mind to wander to those things.
About 3 years ago I started having quiet time in the morning and it worked well for a couple of years. Then I started a job that required me to leave earlier in the morning and got out of the habit. Now I’m back to my original job but can’t seem to get back in the habit. I get on the computer to check the schedule for the day and my bank account and e-mail and before I know it, it’s time to leave for work.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Good ideas and simple ways to apply. I am going to print this off for the women of our ladies Bible study. Thanks!
I find that it is too easy to make excuses for reasons why I can not spend time with my Lord. I am too tired in the evening or stayed up to late the night before to study in the morning.
I get destracted by life in general. things I need to do, want to do, find on Pinterest to do, etc. Like Paul, For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.?? So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.? For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Rom. 7:15-19
I get destracted by life in general. things I need to do, want to do, find on Pinterest to do, etc. Like Paul, For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.?? So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.? For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Rom. 7:15-19
Kids who are early risers can sometimes be a distraction. I have to get up before they do.
If i am honest here, I have to say that sometimes I give God my leftovers instead of my very best. Scripture says “To love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” I have to keep reminding myself that if I truly love the
LORD then I must pursue him. I am reminded of the time I was dating my wonderful husband. How I could not wait to talk to him or see him. I was in love and that seemed all that mattered. That is the kind of love I want to pursue my LORD with. I want that sense of urgency and that importance to overflow out of me for him. This should be the most importance time of my day! I must learn to put GOD at the top of my list and not just give him my leftovers. On my knees is a great place to start.
I love my alone time with The Lord, His presence is a blessing that really
calms my storms. Sometimes though, I just seem so much more
distractible then other times. I journal a lot, and write my prayers down
but have struggled with being verbal also. Sometimes I believe it is
because the hurt I’ve been holding in will spew forth and I will never shut
up.
I feel like my biggest distraction is my to do lists and agenda but also confusion or fear of not knowing where to start. The Bible is such a big book that it overwhelms me.
I have the hardest time getting up in the morning… so that is the first struggle. I really just need to make a plan to spend time with God no matter what. I really liked your idea of writing out commands that we find in the bible on how to live a Godly life in a journal. This definately gave me somethings to think about…and put into place!
Distractions and poor planning seem to be my undoing right now. trying to get set time to sit at his feet. Trying different times of day to see what works best or if just first thing for my bible study and then daily bible and devotional reading before bed. This seems to be working better than trying to have time for everything at once. Love the make an appointment. Perfect to just schedule it on my to do list for the day.
I’ve been doing really well with being intentional in my time with God since the start of the year. My struggle now is that is beginning to feel rote and not as personally impacting as it did when I first dug back in and committed to daily meeting with God in the morning.
For me its getting to bed too late at night. I listen to the Bible using a daily plan, but I’m not awake enough to do much more before I have to head out for work.
Every day distractions seem to be my problem. Instead of making time to spend with God I feel like I have to have everything else done first.
Not sure if you call it the season of life I’m in or having 3 children. The kids require a lot of help with schoolwork, since our school does not have textbooks to look to for help. I have a part time job. But seems like about the time I try to start a Online bible study, 1 or all of the kids get sick then they pass it on. So many times I am too tired or family call during my time to spend with The Lord, something always interferes. Have trouble finding a good time with no interruptions. It’s so disappointing.
My biggest distractions from spending quiet time with God is just straight up time management and laziness. I tell myself that I will just get up earlier in the morning so I can have more time reading His word and waiting to see what He wants me to get from Him that day. Well I have yet to get out of bed when my alarm goes off that FIRST time. I usually (FINALLY) get out of bed after the third, forth, or even fifth time the alarms (I have my phone alarm and clock alarm) go off. So then when I get up finally, I have to try and hurry and go through my devotions (just so I can say I did) and then I feel so bad about it and ask God to forgive me for rushing through His time. But after reading this, I am going to get up on time :-) and give God His time! Thank you so much for this encouragement!!!
The biggest thing that keeps me from spending time alone with God is a full time job outside of the home, then a full time job at home trying to do the things I don’t get done at home. If I am not home, things don’t get done, and we have to have clean clothes, clean dishes, the bills still have to be paid, & we still have to eat. I already get up @ 5am to get ready for work & to do a few things that need to be done before I have to leave for work. By the time I get everything done after work, it is time for me to get ready for bed. So it would be the same thing that also keeps me from exercising like I should….lack of time & exhaustion.
Poor time managemenr
My family can be a big distraction. Sometimes it is just hard to get alone time. To truly be intentional about this I need to work on using all my time wisely. Use all the little moments.
Housework A .D .D. I start one thing, run into another thing so I switch tasks….and then I get to the end of the day and realize I have done this ALL day and have accomplished little or nothing. :(
I keep a notebook with me a lot. I have actually gone through several books over the years. They are mostly filled with my prayers and scripture that would give me “ah ha” moments and those that were prayed over my. Lately it been filled with words from God and those I don’t ever want to forget.
Thank you for this post. It really put things in prospective for me. I am encouraged. God Bless you!
I have all intentions of spending alone time with God, when i do my mind does not shut down to listen to what He wants me to hear and often times my mind jumps to various thoughts that jumble my prayer time, so often my prayer time is spend with wayward thoughts that soon turns me into action and away from my time I intended to spend alone with God. At one time I would get up early enough in the mornings to have awesome quiet time moments of getting into God’s word and meditating on it all day long, now I struggle to have even 5 minutes in the Word and often times run late even though my day actually starts latter than before. and each day I say I am going to get into the word like never before and something always gets in the way. I love to spend time in my Daddy’s arms but the world always seem to have a stronger pull.
Sleeping in as been a big problem for me. By the time I get up and get my day started I have to rush around to get one son fed. lunch made and off to school. Then its time to home school my other son. I’m tired of rushing around and missing out on the spending precious time with my Abba Father. Time to set my alarm for earlier and actually get out of bed when it goes off!
I spend time with God daily, just not a set time. My goal is to be more intentional with a set time to spend studying the word and in prayer.
I am so easily distracted and disorganized.
The thing that distracts me most is that I don’t plan out a time.I have no schedule and am too spontaneous! I need to have a set time each day, but I am a server and my hours change all the time. It’s hard to get a set schedule.
Unorganized, sleeping in, cell phone, time management….lots of things keep me from spending quality time with God. I know that my day goes A LOT better when I start my day in the Word with God, I don’t know why I don’t start the day everyday like that everyday….except for laziness. When I think about this as I am writing it, what if God was lazy and didn’t give me the time of day. What A Wake Up Call this has been. :(
I start thinking about things I need or want to do and that leads to procrastination and I get to the end of the day not having spent time with God and I know that breaks his heart and in turn breaks mine.
Life in general gets in the way. I’ve found that I have to get up and spend time with Him first thing in the a.m. If I don’t, by the time I get home and settle down after work, I’m either too tired to concentrate or distracted by the other household things I need to do or TV!!!
The noise of the world distracts me from spending quiet time alone with God. Bible study and daily quiet time have taught that the still quiet voice of God will provide a path through any of my circumstances. Been studying how God made me for more than what I’ve believed in the past. God makes all things new and quiet time in his presence transforms my approach to loving God & loving others.
Poor time management and silly distractions like my phone and facebook. I just decided to fast from facebook for awhile, so that will help. I NEED to regain the intentionality.
Time management is probably my biggest fault..
Poor time management is the culprit. I am really not an early riser – much earlier than 6:30 am anyway. I taught school for 34 years (kindergarten mostly) and when I retired, it was nice to sleep a little later. I would fit my “quiet time” in whenever I could, around and after other things that HAD to be done! I have been retired for 2 years now, but have started keeping my first grandchild (which I adore btw) and she is here at 8 every morning. So, I’m pretty much on my old schedule when I was teaching. Of course, getting older does not make it any easier for me to stay up late and so my “quiet time” is not getting top priority as it should. Plus I like to get on the computer and keep up with old friends and family and watch a little TV now and then. Many distractions! I am not happy with myself. Having a hard time getting everything in.
Lack of self-discipline, I’ve got a couple of devotional books I read but God wants me in His word.
I spend so much time with my job that it becomes a distraction at times. I don’t take the time I need to with God or my family because of distractions of life.
My thoughts run away from e about all that must be accomplished that day.
Being disorganized and sleeping in. But I have started again, by reading during the week in the book of the Bible that the sermon was based upon on Sunday, and writing down what I read, so I know where I left off.
Hi Karen~ I’m most distracted by chores, a to-do list and electronics… and 3 little rugrats (ages 5, 20 months and 4 months). I’m a new stay-at-home mom (previously worked full-time before baby #3) so I’m adjusting to my new role. So now I’m trying to have my time with God before I go to bed and am doing a bible study every other week…it also helps to surround myself with women who are encouraging and love the Lord. I’m a work in progress!
Poor planning because I stay up late and I like to sleep in.
I get very frustrated when I don’t get my to-do list done before leaving the house. I get grumpy. I often put tasks before spending time with the Lord and my family. Lord help me to be more like Mary, quiet my soul so I can accomplish more important things than dishes and laundry.
For me it really boils down to placing my priorities, I feel that I’m not giving my best time to God most of the time. What is distracting me from seeking God, and from sitting at His feet – is my innermost desire to please others, rather than pleasing God. I’m currently stuck with the notion of eating “clean” and have been obsessed with doing that. Not really sure about how I’d be able to kick this obsession – but I know with God nothing is impossible! :) Thanks for having this giveaway, it made me reflect a lot more on my walk with our Father in Heaven ;)
As I’m sitting here on my birthday, rushing to get ready for teaching tomorrow, getting things ready for my family’s week, being gone all weekend at a basketball tournament and still having to correct papers at 8:30 at night, I definitely am dealing with the responsibilities of life that are getting in the way of my devotion time. Making an actual time/appointment to be in God’s Word is exactly what I need to commit to. Today’s sermon and this devotion that I read of yours are saying the same thing to me, as is God speaking loudly and clearly. Give God my time and worship in His Word!
Very good. Be intentional … (Make a date with God). I always want to have my devotional time first thing in the morning otherwise it seems to get lost in my day.
My to-do list gets in my way… I start to pray, then start thinking of everything that needs to be done that day (or even that week) and it makes my mind wander! I find that it helps to journal my prayers!
My biggest obstacle is myself. I am not very organized and keep thinking of my to do list instead of handing it over to God.
I let the busyness of the day keep me distracted. I always have something that needs done. I also have a son at college (only child) and I seem to stress and worry about him constantly. And I know I should pray and turn things over to God. I never seem to get there….
You are so right when I use my to do list I do get more accomplished and withme taking a challenge for being better spiritual with God your giveaway hits right at home. And if I wind up not being the winner congrats to who does get it and I will be looking to get above mentioned items sooner hopefully rather than later hehe.
Poor time management and perfectionism.
I am very easily distracted by many things, noises, Facebook, TV, my dog, my husband, the sun, family, friends, you name it…..it distracts me……I am so excited to do this Bible study as I was the last one! I will be praying for the ability to stay on task for a minimum of 30 minutes a day so I can grow closer to my savior!
My distraction is disorganization. Sometimes I xan’t find my Bible, or notebook, or pen. Then my mind is going 100 miles a minute about everything I need to get done!
I have a 7 month old and an almost 3 year old. Between the energy expelled during the day and the several times waking up at night to feed the baby, my bed is too comfy and my alarm keeps getting snoozed. By the time I finally roll out, it’s time for a run and then the kids are up and my day flies by. Nap time I’m so distracted by my to do list that I don’t take the time to sit and be with God. Alarms will be set on my phone for this week and I will use my run as an opportunity for scripture memorization. I’m very excited for this season in our lives, and I still need to take the time for God and give my list to Him.
What distracts me the most? I have a 3 year old (very distracting on his own), fibromyalgia and an autoimmune condition call sjogrens. I am newly diagnosed so still learning to deal with the chronic pain, joint problems, memory issues and near constant fatigue. My prayers are that we get on the correct medication protocol soon. I would love to spend time every day with a devotional, my pray journal (which is incomplete) and maybe start a bible study. But it never seems to happen.
I think my to do list distracts me. I am a full time working mother and my husband works 16-18 hour days. In the midst of the crazy, I often forget to sit down and invite God into the chaos. I shouldn’t, because He is the one who could handle it best. I am encouraged by the Mandisa song, “These Days,” where she says “In the midst of the crazy, God your love is so amazing. Through the ups and downs, you’re the only hope I’ve found….”
Definitely poor time management. I always have good intentions, then the day gets away from me and life gets in the way. :(
The things that distract me from God are my laziness, procrastination, poor time management, my inability to be consistent, stress, organization, follow through, and every day life. I don’t make God as much of a priority as I should obviously, or He would always come first. I forget or I put it off until later only to find that later I am too tired to read my Bible or talk to God. I have two children, 6 and 7, that I homeschool and a plethora of animals that I tend to during the day on top of household chores. I come up with my own curriculum because we don’t make much money. Life right now is very stressful, so I guess the season of life that my family is in is a distraction as well – we are in the process of trying to save up and start building our own house. I hope to use the ideas from your devotional to be more intentional once again (For a month and a half at the beginning of the year I did several devotionals and prayed and talked and sang and worshipped God daily, until all of my old hinderances crept back in). It is time to go back and sit at the Lord’s feet!
My distraction is the fact that my mind seems to wander. It drives me crazy not to be able to focus like I should. But I know God will help me with this.