We’ve talked here on CWC about the importance of finding time in your life to just be still. As I’ve been so diligently sharing my first-ever devotional eBook release in Streams in the Wasteland, I thought it might make sense to talk obstacles to devotion time today.
Because life can get hectic. And we all know that spending time with the Lord requires some intentional structuring of your daily life.
Overcoming Obstacles
Your devotion time is a time for worship, gratitude, and prayerful meditation. But devotion time doesn’t just happen. It takes discipline to make the time, creating space in your life to be still to study God’s Word in obedience. There are several obstacles you may face in attempting to structure your daily devotions:
- Time: How much time do you need to do devotions? How much time does God deserve of your day? There isn’t really one right answer to these questions, but I can tell you that Streams in the Wasteland is designed to be a quick read if needed. Maybe you only have time for the Scripture reading, The Story for His Glory, and The Stream in the Wasteland message—which can be done in less than five minutes. Other days you might be able to dive in a bit deeper, taking some time to ponder the Reflection questions and devise a way to put the Action Plan into motion in your life. What matters is that you find and make the time to connect with God, even if only for a few minutes a day.
- Distractions: Maybe your house is a bit chaotic and not a place to calm your heart during devotions. Perhaps you can get away to a quiet coffeehouse in the afternoon. Or spend some morning time outside on the patio. Maybe you just need to stay up a few minutes later than everyone or get up a few minutes earlier. The specifics don’t really matter; just find what works best for you to feel relaxed and comfortable in your time with God.
- Anxiety: Perhaps you’ve been struggling in your hardship for quite some time now. You may find it difficult to quiet your heart and mind in prayer. Unsettledness is not a reason to forgo devotional time. You just need to find a way to prepare for your time of worship at home. Maybe you could listen to some calming hymns or worship songs beforehand. Try saying a prayer before you sit down to do devotions and ask God to clear your mind and open your heart to His message. Take a few deep breaths and let go of consuming thoughts before entering into your quiet time. Or maybe, you just need to sit down and go through your devotions, day by day, and in time, you will start to feel the anxiety give way to peace. God isn’t looking for perfection; He’s looking for your presence.
- Material: If you’ve struggled to structure daily quiet time in the past because you weren’t sure what to do, what to read, what to pray, where to turn in the Bible, then you are in luck—because you can get Streams in the Wasteland for FREE! This devotional can be your guide for your quiet time. You don’t even need a Bible because this devotional includes Scriptures in full. However, I would certainly recommend getting a free Bible app on your phone or making the investment in a personal Bible to enhance your experience.
Though there will always be obstacles that present themselves, you can find a way to move past them to get the most out of your devotions. Yes, it does take time and effort and commitment, but I can personally attest to the positive impact growing your faith can have on your life, especially when you are going through difficult situations. When life is hectic, it is so worth prioritizing your daily time with God.
So what are you waiting for?
Click below to receive your copy of Streams in the Wasteland!
**Update: Streams in the Wasteland is available for downloading**
Get my FREE eBook devotional, “Streams in the Wasteland: 31 Days for Finding Hope in the Hardship” by clicking on the graphic below:
The Bible tells us to be still & know…it is in this stillness that we know He is our God. Deepening our relationship with Jesus takes commitment and discipline, just as any relationship does. So find the time and let Streams in the Wasteland help you to Be Still & Know…
P.S. Here are a few additional resources from CWC that you might find helpful when trying to overcome the obstacles to your personal devotion time with God: