10 Common Obstacles That Stop You From Reading Your Bible Every Day
Embarking on the journey of consistent Bible reading is a commendable endeavor, but let’s be real – it’s not always a walk in the park. Life has a knack for throwing obstacles our way, and maintaining a regular Bible-reading routine is no exception.
Whether it’s the hustle and bustle of daily life, unexpected challenges, or simply a struggle to stay focused, we all face hurdles on this path. Let’s shine a light on 10 common obstacles that many encounter when trying to read the Bible consistently.
1. You’re too Busy
The number one reason Americans report not reading their Bibles is that we’re too busy.
Between work, taking care of the kids, cooking, cleaning, and everything else we do each day, we don’t have the time to learn how to read and study the Bible for ourselves.
This could be because we’re in a particularly full season OR it could be because we haven’t learned how to manage our time properly to make time for the things that matter most to us.
Either way – if you spend all day taking care of everyone and everything else but you don’t have time for God, you may be too busy.
2. You’re too Tired
Another incredibly common obstacle so many of us mommas deal with is that we’re just TIRED.
After spending the entire day taking care of everyone and everything else, we often don’t have the time and energy to take time for ourselves — especially on things that require attention and focus, like reading the Bible.
3. You Lack Motivation
This is such a common trap that so many people fall into!
If you are simply waiting for the magical motivation fairy to pay you a visit so you can “feel” like reading your Bible, this may never happen.
As a grown-up, there are some things we have to discipline ourselves to do because they are good for us, whether we “feel” like it or not. (For example, eating vegetables, going to work, brushing our teeth…)
The good news is, once you create a consistent habit, it becomes MUCH easier to get and stay motivated.
4. You’re too Distracted
Distractions can come in several different forms.
For example…
- External distractions: Your husband, kids, pets, the dishes, the neighbors, phone calls, the doorbell…
- Internal distractions: Your mental to-do list, negative thoughts you can’t turn off, lack of attention and focus…
While you may never be able to completely eliminate all distractions, thankfully, there are steps you can take to minimize them so they don’t throw you off track quite as much.
5. You Simply Forget
Have you ever meant to read your Bible, only to get to the end of the day (or the next day!) and realize you completely forgot?
This is incredibly common, but also very easy to fix. Here are a few easy tricks to make it so you’re less likely to forget.
- Get in the habit of reading your Bible at the same time each day.
- Set an alarm on your phone (maybe two!)
- Leave your Bible somewhere you’ll see it (for example, on the kitchen counter or on your pillow, so it’s right in your way at bedtime).
6. You Lack Adequate Biblical Knowledge
Don’t know how to read the Bible? No idea where to start? Thankfully, there are a ton of resources out there to help.
- Find a great Bible study on a topic that interests you.
- Download a free Bible study app
- Join a Bible study group where you can ask lots of questions
7. You Lack Intimacy with God
How is your relationship with God right now?
Is there anything God has asked you to do that you’ve refused or neglected to obey Him on? Are there any things you’re doing right now that you know God would not approve of, but you haven’t stopped? Do you mostly ignore God and only come to Him when you need something?
The Bible isn’t a novel or a how-to guide, where you can simply pick it up and get simple, static information.
Rather, the Bible is one of the primary ways God speaks to us today.
Therefore, if you and God aren’t exactly on “speaking terms” right now, then it only makes sense that you would struggle to hear Him through the pages of His Word.
8. You Think Going to Church Is Enough
If your church regularly reads the Scripture aloud during the service, you might feel like reading the Bible on your own is unnecessary.
Yet, while it’s great to hear the Word read publicly, there’s just something special about being able to read and study God’s Word on your own so He can speak to you directly through His Word.
Plus, chances are, you’ll never hear or experience the entire Bible story if you’re only hearing it read from the pulpit.
9. You Believe Scripture Study is Only For the “Super Spiritual”
While chances are good that you will understand the Bible more if you’ve taken the time to formally study it, formal study is certainly not a requirement for reading, understanding, or enjoying God’s Word.
Whether you’re a brand new Christian, lifelong believer, young child, older adult, sinner, saint, or anywhere in between, anyone can read God’s Word and get a lot out of it! No qualifications or requirements are necessary.
10. You Don’t Believe It’s Important
With so many good things we “could” do on any given day, it’s not surprising that the Bible doesn’t always make the list. If you’ve never experienced God’s power and presence for yourself through the pages of His Word, you likely don’t even know what you’re missing out on!
It’s one thing to know that Christians “should” read the Bible. It’s another to truly know for yourself how powerful and life-changing it can be. Of course, the only way to do that is to start reading Scripture for yourself!
How to Read the Bible (Easy Instructions for Beginners!)
Want to learn how to read the Bible for yourself, but you’re not sure where to start or how to understand it?
Reading the Bible is a lot easier (and way more enjoyable) than you might think. You just need a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
How to Read the Bible (Easy Instructions for Beginners!)
How to Study the Bible (for Beginners)
Are you confident you can read, study, and understand the Bible for yourself?
The Bible is a huge book full of so much wisdom, encouragement, and direction, but it’s easy to misunderstand what its words mean or how we should apply them to our lives today.
In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to study God’s Word for yourself, even if you’re brand new to Bible study.
How to Study the Bible for Beginners
Oops! These 10 Popular Bible Verses Don’t Mean What You Think
The Bible is full of inspirational verses that can encourage us, lift us up, and remind us of God’s goodness.
Yet, just because a verse sounds encouraging doesn’t mean that’s the way the original author meant his or her words to be understood.
Here are 10 popular Bible verses people love to take out of context, completely distorting their original meaning in the process.
Oops! These 10 Popular Bible Verses Don’t Mean What You Think
10 Best Bible Studies for Women to Help You Grow in Faith
Want to dive deeper into regular Bible study, but you’re not sure where to start? We’ve compiled a list of the most popular, most highly recommended Bible studies for Christian women today.
10 Best Bible Studies for Women to Help You Grow in Faith
Things Christians Wish Non-Christians Knew About Their Faith
Christianity, a globally practiced faith, holds profound significance for its followers. It can also be misunderstood by those who do not practice Christianity, which can harbor some frustrations for practicing Christians.
Recently, on a popular social media page, we found some things Christians wish non-Christians knew about their faith.
Things Christians Wish Non-Christians Knew About Their Faith
