We all go through times where there is absolutely no motivation or desire to read God’s Word. We know reading the Bible is important for us to grow closer to God, but it can feel like such a chore sometimes. There’s so many distractions we face and so many things that need to be done, right? School, work, social life, and everything in between. You’re not alone in this, trust me. Here are some practical things you can do to spice up your Bible reading to get back into the word or to get started for the first time.
- Pray
I know this might sound cliché, but this is exactly what I started doing when I realized that I needed to make some changes and put my relationship with God first. I began to ask Him to change my heart and give me a desire to know Him more. The Bible tells us that when we seek Him, we will find Him, and I know this to be true because when I began to ask for these desires, I really started to feel motivated and excited. I began to look forward to those times where I would sit down and be still with God. Prayer really changes us.
- Set Realistic Goals
One thing we all do wrong when trying to set new goals is when we start by setting unrealistic ones. Because we know that reading God’s word is very important, we dive in and try to read as much as possible for long periods of time, thinking this is the best way to gain more from what we are reading. Then we get bored or confused or even overwhelmed, and we don’t stick to it. Start small. You don’t have to sit down and read an hour a day. Take 15-20 minutes of your day to read and allow God to change your heart. I personally like getting up 15-20 minutes early to start my day fresh out of the Word, so I have filled my mind with truth before the negativity starts creeping in. When I do this, I feel much stronger and I’m able to meditate on what I read throughout the day. I understand that many people have to get up much earlier than I do, but just take a look at your schedule and set out a specific time each day that works for you. I understand that it’s easier said than done, but I promise you can do it!
- Make your Bible Time Fun!
This tip truly changed my perspective on reading the Bible. Because I have never really had a hobby in reading, it was super difficult for me to enjoy reading in any form or fashion. I would get sleepy or bored and couldn’t focus. This changed for me when I discovered Bible journaling. I’ve always enjoyed crafty things, so when I realized that it was possible to make reading fun by journaling the word, I was so enthused. I love waking up, grabbing a hot cup of coffee, and sitting down with highlighters, pens, and my Bible. You don’t have to be an artist or have good handwriting, just make Bible reading fun for you!
4. Read a Proverbs a Day!
I believe this is an easy and practical way to create the habit of daily Bible reading. There are 31 days in a month, and there are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. A Proverb for everyday! Proverbs is a wonderful book full of wisdom and helpful advice. Whatever day of the month it is, get started reading today! If it is the 16th day of the month, start with Proverbs chapter 16!
5. Use a Devotional or Bible Study
There are SO many devotions/Bible studies out there to choose from! If you are struggling to know where to start, I think this is a great way to get started. I like to start off my daily Bible reading by beginning with a devotional because they give you scripture, topics, and books of the Bible to reflect on. I think it’s a great way to get focused and motivated. Go to a local book store and check out what devotionals or studies you can find! Have fun with it!
6. Get Rid of All Distractions
This is a big struggle for me personally. I am so easily distracted and have a hard time focusing on one thing at a time. Especially living in a world full of technology, my smartphone really steals my attention away from the most important things in life. If you can relate to this, I encourage you to turn off your cell phone while you are reading so that your time will be spent more effectively.
I hope these tips were helpful to you! Create a daily routine that becomes a must for you and soon enough, it will be something you can’t go a day without doing!
Keep Growing and Keep Living Free
-Hannah C.
Live Free 
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