A random confession: Even though I’ve written on the topic of devotion, Bible study, and prayer, I don’t always win with morning devotions.
Some days are great: I feel revived, energized by reading, and excited by the takeaways. Other days, however, are not so great.
The days that don’t feel like winning can include a combination of any of the following symptoms:
- Struggling to wake up
- Reading halfway and the mind wandering away
- Getting distracted during devotion (usually by the phone)
- Preoccupation with things currently happening in life (some of which can be stressful)
- Not feeling like I’m getting the most out of study at the moment
- General fatigue (even spiritual)
- Feeling distant from God
- And other possible things…
It happens, and this other side is a reality. This is worth acknowledging so that we don’t get trapped into thinking that personal devotion is an endless series of constant wins.
The important thing is to not let the low days feel like a general failure or make us question our standing with God.
Tackling Devotional Struggles
There are a few options on how to face “not winning” when it does happen:
- Not being too hard on oneself
- Facing it head-on and not denying that it’s happening
- Trying again… as many times as necessary
- Actually praying about it
- Changing strategy – e.g., reading something else or incorporating other elements into devotion: journaling, music, a sermon, etc. (See the book Connect: A Practical Model for Deeper Devotions)
- Consistency and planning (e.g., drawing up a schedule of what you’re going to read for the week/month to make it predictable)
- Shifting the focus: to spending time with God and knowing Him more, rather than only checking off a task list
- Making your devotional life relevant to where you are in life right now (e.g., if you’re struggling with prayer, read a devotional book on prayer; if you’re trying to cultivate faith, read books on that, etc. The book Unlocking the Word gives more practical tools for Bible study)
- Trusting God: Being encouraged by the fact that God doesn’t rate us by our performance or success in devotional practices
Three Promises for When We Are Struggling with Devotion
God is mindful of every experience that the Christian faces, and even when it comes to sometimes not succeeding with having devotions, God cares.
Consider three promises to hold on to whenever you may feel like you could do better in your personal time with God.
The Promise of Blessings
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
There is a blessing that comes with realizing one’s spiritual poverty. When we realize our need for God and how empty life is without Him, we are in a better position to receive His blessing.
This is because our need for God is itself an appeal for why He should bless us, more than when we feel self-sufficient.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
“Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.’” – Isaiah 44:2-3
God promises to pour out His Holy Spirit on those who are spiritually thirsty. When our souls feel like dry ground, that is when we are ready to receive the flood of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
It is our thirst that qualifies us to be showered with the Holy Spirit’s presence.
The Promise of Answered Prayer
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3
God promises to answer us when we call out to Him. When we go to Him in prayer and plead our great need for spiritual strength and revival, He will respond to us in ways that far exceed our expectations.
Spiritual speed bumps can occur even to the most spiritual men and women, and none of us are immune to them. When they occur, we can trust that God cares, God hears, and God intervenes.
Have a great day.
