Is reading through the bible difficult or is it a lower priority than we want to admit?
As a wife and stay at home momma who also works from home. I understand how easy it is to put off reading indefinitely. I have gone weeks without opening my bible saying “I’ll do it tonight”. I am always too exhausted at night. “I’ll do it in the morning”. I am way to groggy in the mornings to comprehend what I’m reading, and my kids usually wake up as early as I do immediately ready for breakfast. It’s a cycle we won’t even realize we are in until weeks have gone by. I have finally found the best time for me to read is right after my breakfast while the kids are finishing their breakfast and getting dressed for the day. It’s about 30 minutes, and if I really focus I can get several chapters in.
I have found the longer I go between readings the less content, the more irritable, and the more impulsive I become. The bible backs this observation. When we feed our flesh it grows. When we spend time with God we become more in tune with the Holy Spirit within us. He will call in remembrance scriptural truths that will help us defeat temptations. Whether it be spending money we shouldn’t or yelling at our kids. The Holy Spirit will help us to choose righteousness.
Recently I came across a blog post discussing this topic and included these graphics. They show us the average time it takes to read portions and all of the bible. It was humbling to realize how simple and quick it actually can be if we stop making it complicated and stressful. We are the ones making this seem so hard. Check these out!
When I catch myself putting off reading my bible I remember these scriptures:
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I also use the Daily Soul Bread app to track my reading.
Let us say a prayer today that the Holy Spirit will give us strength to put aside the material things of this world and seek out our Heavenly Father.
That dirty laundry is not going to run away, but you only have so any years to teach your children the importance of studying Gods word.
