Struggling to Read the Bible Consistently? Here are 7 Reasons Why

Do you ever feel like you’re struggling to read the Bible consistently? 

Maybe you get so caught up in day-to-day life that you simply forget.

Or you tell yourself that you’ll get around to it “later,” but then you never do.

You find time for Facebook… Instagram… even for reading websites for Christian women or Christian blogs for women…

But, all too often, your Bible sits forgotten on the shelf.

 

If that sounds all too familiar, you’re definitely not alone. 

According to the 2020 State of the Bible Report, 59 percent of Americans wish they could read their Bibles more often, and yet, only 31 percent of Americans read their Bible on at least a weekly basis or more.

 

We want to read the Bible. We know it’s important. And yet, too many of us struggle to read the Bible as consistently as we’d like.

If you’re struggling to read the Bible as often as you’d like, here are 7 likely reasons why.

 

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.

 

Too Busy to Read Your Bible? Try this: 

• Set aside time on your calendar to spend in God’s Word
• Cut back on commitments
• Delegate some of your daily chores to other family members or hire them out, if you can.

 

Related: How to Make Time for God When You Barely Have Time to Pee

 

2. You’re too Tired

 

Another incredible 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.

 

Too Tired to Read Your Bible? Try this: 

• Rather than waking up early or staying up late, find a time when you’re at your best.
• Look for easy ways to make positive changes to your health so you have more energy.
• Choose a Bible passage that’s more interesting so you’re more likely to stay awake.

 

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.

 

Not Motivated to Read Your Bible? Try this: 

• Choose a Bible passage or translation that’s more interesting and engaging
• Read with friends or join a Bible study for accountability
• Find ways to make your Bible reading more fun and enjoyable (for example, listening to an audio Bible while gardening instead of reading a paper version) 

 

Related: How to Read the Bible Daily (And Make it a Habit)

 

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.

 

Too Distracted to Read Your Bible? Try this: 

• Choose a different time or place, when you’re less likely to be distracted
• Turn off all notifications, and ask your husband and children to give you some quiet time (it’s totally fine to lock yourself in the bathroom or put on cartoons for the kids if you need to!)
• Meditate on small chunks of Scripture at a time, rather than trying to read entire chapters of Scripture all at once.

 

Related: How to Stop Getting So Distracted During Prayer and Bible Study

 

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.

 

Keep Forgetting to Read Your Bible? Try this: 

• 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.

 

Don’t Know How to Read Your Bible? Try this: 

• 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.

 

Broken Relationship with God affecting your Bible Reading? Try this: 

• Confess any sin you’re still holding onto and ask for forgiveness
• Pray and ask for wisdom and understanding
• Instead of reading the Bible just to get facts and information, try to read it to learn more about God — who He is and what He’s like.

 

Do you ever struggle to read God’s Word consistently? Which one of these 7 things is getting in your way? 

 

This article originally appeared on Equipping Godly Women.