How Do I Grow in My Faith When I’m Too Busy to Read the Bible?

Recently, a reader asked the question, “How do I grow in my faith when I’m too busy to read the Bible?” I asked myself the same question recently after my second daughter was born, and my life became busier than I expected. Months leading up to her birth, everyone told me how difficult it is going from one child to two. I believed them, but like with most things in parenting there’s no way to prepare yourself. You just have to experience it.

I was used to my almost three-year-old’s 7:00 pm bedtime, 7:00 am wake-up time, and two-hour nap during the day. In other words I HAD a lot of “free” time. Early mornings, afternoons, and evenings were mine. Being the morning person I am, I woke up every morning around 5:00 after a restful, full night’s sleep to pray and read my Bible.

How Can I Grow in My Faith-

Then my second daughter was born. First of all, I apparently forgot what it’s like having a newborn . . . the every two-hour feedings and being up several times during the night. This makes waking up at 5:00 am impossible. Plus, I can’t sleep during the day when the baby sleeps because I have to take care of my oldest child. The girls’ naps are never at the same time, and my newborn doesn’t have a 7:00 pm bedtime. It’s more like 9:30 p.m.

There is literally no time to read my Bible.

So how can I grow in my faith when I’m too busy to read the Bible?

The answer is easy  . . .  I can’t.

Reading the Bible is imperative for growing our faith.

The Bible makes this truth clear when it says that the Bible is God’s Word . . . it’s living and active (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12). It is how God speaks to His people. Our growth in faith is impaired when we are not in God’s Word seeking His character, thoughts, and actions.

However, there are seasons of life when reading the Bible, and even more so studying the Bible, is difficult. Maybe it’s a season with a new baby like me or a time when the demands of school are great. Maybe it’s a season of heartbreak or tragedy where you are emotionally drained from life’s circumstances. Or when work responsibilities leave little free time.

When we are in these seasons of life it is important to first ask a crucial question:

How am I prioritizing my time?

I once heard someone say that we will always find time for what’s important to us. I’ve found this to be true myself.

How we spend our time reflects our priorities.

Are there places in your day that you can use your time more wisely?

Is there a favorite TV show you can stop watching during this season of busyness?

Is there a social activity you can take a leave from?

Could you spend less time on social media?

Typically, there are snippets of activities that can be shaved from your day and replaced with reading your Bible.

It’s also important to remember that reading your Bible doesn’t have to take hours. In fact, it can take as little as five minutes. Of course, the more time you spend in God’s Word the more you will grow in knowing Him. But God knows your life circumstances, and He extends grace in them.

With smartphones today, there is no reason why a person cannot read the Bible every day, even if only for a few minutes. Two of my favorite apps for reading the Bible are YouVersion and She Reads TruthYouVersion is a Bible app with many different reading plans of varying time commitments, like the Meet the New You Bible Reading Plan. Some are theme-based and some are books of the Bible. Right now I am reading through Psalms and Proverbs using my YouVersion app. You can even get a daily reminder each day.

She Reads Truth is an online community of women who read the Bible together. There’s a short devotional and scripture reading each day.

So can you grow in your faith when you’re too busy to read the Bible? It’s unlikely. But by assessing your priorities and utilizing Bible and devotional apps on your smartphone, you will be able to spend a few minutes each day in God’s Word.

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