Some mornings Bible reading feels like running a treadmill on 5 hours sleep. I know I’m supposed to do it, but I don’t get much out of it. While I race through my Bible reading plan, I remember we’re out of milk, and I yawn because anxious thoughts kept me awake the night before. I know the Word of God encourages my faith, but right now news of the Covid-19 crisis, coupled with worry for the future, distracts me many mornings when I come to read Scripture. Can you relate?
Stress from juggling all the things involved with families working and studying from home can make it harder than ever for us to slow our thoughts and listen for God’s voice through His Word.
Before I know it, I’m checking off boxes, so I can run to start my day. Old Testament. Check. Psalm. Check. New Testament. Check.
How can we get more encouragement from Bible reading during a global pandemic?
We all need to let the Word of God fuel our faith and renew our minds. Bible reading encourages us, shows us who God is, and gives us the wisdom we need for daily life. Yet challenging circumstances can make us lose focus; sometimes we experience dry spells when Scripture seems silent.
Does your mind race to something else when you open your Bible? Do your eyes ever glaze over? When I start yawning over scripture, I try these:
4 Ways to Get More Encouragement from Bible Reading
1. Pray
When daily Bible reading grows dull, I start praying. I pray to the God of the Bible to show Himself to me through His Word. If there’s a prayer God delights to answer, it’s this one:
Lord, wake me up to the wonders of your Word. Open my eyes to see you and my ears to hear you as I read.
2. Read Less to Focus More
It sounds counterintuitive to read LESS when you’re not getting anything out of Bible reading, but it works for me. Instead of a whole chapter, I read just one section. For example, Matthew 2 is divided into several sections: “The Magi Visit the Messiah,” “The Escape to Egypt,” and “The Return to Nazareth,” so I read it over several days. Narrowing my focus helps me to pay more attention.
I slow down and ask God to speak as I read the passage a few times. If something I read sparks a prayer, I pause to respond. Then I focus on one verse. What is God saying to me?
3. Color It Up
A few years ago, I started highlighting my Bible in different colors. Not only does it add fun and creativity to my quiet time, it also helps me explore the meaning of a passage. When I see repeated words and concepts, I highlight them in the same color. I also look concepts like these:
- Attributes of God
- Commands
- Promises
- Biblical themes like faith, hope, and joy
I use inexpensive watercolor pencils in vivid colors, and I have my own color code system. If you’d like to try it for yourself, click on the printable image below:
4. Write It Down
God’s Word becomes more real to me when I take a few minutes to write down a verse. Again, I like to do this in different colored ballpoint pens. The physical act of writing it down helps me internalize and remember it. When I record it in my notebook in color, it comes to life and becomes mine. I can look at it again later. As I write, I ask, “Lord, what are you saying to me through this verse?”
Instead of slamming my Bible shut to end my quiet time and get on with my day, I want to carry God’s Word with me. Praying first and reading shorter passages of Scripture help me focus on listening for God’s voice. Highlighting a passage or writing down a verse helps me internalize what God might be saying. Which one of these steps might help you get more encouragement out of Bible reading? How about trying it today?
Now it’s your turn. Do you ever have a hard time paying attention to scripture when you read it? What helps you?
I wrote More of God: A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times to help overwhelmed and distracted women recover a fresh sense of God’s presence, learn to hear His voice, and grow their prayer lives. Click on the image below for more info:
Are you facing the challenges of life on an empty tank? Need help renewing your relationship with God?
Follow this link to find me on Facebook for daily encouragement.
Note: This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase, I receive a small commission towards the upkeep of this site, at no extra cost to you.
Sometimes God will stop me and not let me go further — sometimes for days! — in my Bible reading. I just finished 100 Days with Christ and need to transition to the next study.
I know what you mean! I sometimes read the same passage a few days. Your 100 Days with Christ study is a blessing, Lisa!
Hi Betsy I love the less is more and writing it down. I ask myself question from what I’ve read then take it and pray it as I walk round the garden. Having written it down I try and read it as the last thought for the day.
Thankyou I’ve got your book and its been great to regularly refresh the way I meet God. May God bless and enrich you.
Thanks so much for chiming in here, Wendy! I love that you try to read your verse or thought for the day before bed again. That is such a good idea. I’m going to try it. May the Lord bless you too. So glad my book encouraged you. Thanks so much for buying it. <3
Oh, I can relate, Betsy. I am a pretty goal-oriented person. I don’t have a Bible reading plan right now and I need one. I do better both in reading the Bible and in running when I am following a plan. I love your suggestions, especially the second one. I think I tend to rush through my Bible reading sometimes just so I can get it accomplished. I have just ordered a new version of the Bible I have never read before. When it arrives, I am going to try these suggestions. Thank you!
Ooh, how fun that you have a new version of the Bible coming in the mail! I hope you enjoy it. I also like to follow a plan, but I usually need it to consist of shorter portions of Scripture. (Or I make up my own plan and read through books at my own pace.)
Oh yes, some days I do struggle to pray, read or speak. I felt this issue was a test about a week ago due to a strong desire to just close my eyes for a few minutes. I chose to pray in faith that God would help me, and He did. In fact, a couple hours passed before I realized how energized I felt, and I thanked Him rewarding my faith in His help.
That’s a great little testimony, Charla! Thanks for sharing it, friend. He does reward our faith when we believe He’ll help! Definitely.