Reading my Bible sometimes feels like a chore, especially when I’m in a difficult season. Yet, one thing that keeps me going is the need to be rooted in God’s word no matter the season. I remind myself that the Bible is God’s word written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The amazing thing is that God’s word speaks to every season. There’s a word for when your heart is heavy, when you are filled with joy, or when you are waiting on God for a miracle. No matter the season, God never leaves us helpless without guidance and encouragement. He understands that sometimes, we just want to curl up in bed and binge-watch our favorite shows. However, while the flesh craves comfort and distraction, our spirit longs for communion with God.. The flesh represents the sinful nature that is inherent in man. Feeding your flesh, by indulging its desires and doing the things it naturally craves, indirectly gives it control over your life, and makes it even more difficult to spend time studying God’s words.
Galatians 5:16-17: “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Galatians 5:17. “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”
The flesh is in constant struggle with God’s Spirit in us. This is why many find it easier to spend hours engrossed in novels and magazines, but begin to doze off after a few verses of the bible. Although the Bible is a spiritual guide written by God, numerous scholars have also recognized its chapters for their extraordinary beauty, poetry, and wisdom. This shows that the Bible is far from boring; the difficulty we sometimes experience in reading it reveals the ongoing battle between our flesh and the Spirit.
When I don’t feel like reading my Bible, these are some of the things I do:
1. Start with Honesty
The first thing I do is try to figure out why I don’t feel like reading my Bible. It could be due to distractions, unconfessed sin, spiritual dryness, or emotional and physical exhaustion. To address the issue, start by honestly troubleshooting the cause. Are you too busy, or feeling frustrated with God because of an unanswered prayer? Or perhaps you’re simply indifferent or disconnected. Whatever the reason, be honest with yourself. Remember, even the most devoted Christians experience seasons of dryness, so you are never alone in this.
2. Change My Perspective
The moment you believe that Bible reading is a chore, that is exactly what it becomes. However, the reality is that reading your bible is a conversation with God. It is feeding your Spirit. Matthew 4:4 reminds us that “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Meditating on even one verse a day can make the difference you need, transform your life, and nourish your soul.
3. Read for Relationship, Not Just Information
Yes, the Bible contains a wealth of useful information, and it’s easy to get lost in its many chapters or read it like a textbook. However, it is more productive to read it with the conscious aim of building a relationship with God, rather than simply reading for the sake of reading. It’s not about “finishing a chapter,” but listening to God’s voice. I love to read the Bible like I’m reading a personal letter from God delivered to me every morning, and that makes it more interesting for me, as I look forward to knowing what God is saying every day.
4. Listen to the Bible
Listening to the Bible is a refreshing and enjoyable way to catch up during periods when you feel unmotivated to read. It is also a good way to fill your mind with the word when taking walks, doing chores, exercising, or resting. Sometimes, I take it a step further by listening to God’s word and also following the text at the same time. This helps me stay more focused during my study time.
5. Create a Bible Study Worship Playlist
Worship is a good way to enter into God’s presence before Bible study. I find that my Spirit is quickened and my heart is softened when I start with worship music before opening my Bible, especially during times when I feel spiritually dry.
6. Read with Community
We all experience seasons when we feel unmotivated or spiritually dry. During these times, it is helpful to lean on Christian friends, Bible study groups, or online devotionals to give you the boost and encouragement you need. One time I read my Bible through, I created a group where I added some friends and family to keep me accountable. Being accountable was a major factor that kept me engaged.
In all you do, don’t wait until you feel like reading your Bible, because that feeling may never come. Pray for greater hunger for God and His word, and as you wait for that hunger, keep yourself engaged because most times, the desire deepens after the very first step.
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