If you’re like me, you probably have a devotional graveyard on your bookshelf. It’s filled with half-read books. And there they sit, mocking your inability to finish something as a book that helps you grow closer to God.
Up until recently, I hadn’t been able to finish a single devotional. And it’s because I did the following things. But once I started changing the way I approach reading devotionals, I finally found I was able to finish one. Then two. Then three. It is possible to finish them. You just can’t approach them like this.
Here are four reasons you don’t finish devotionals, as well as what you should do instead.
1. You Start Too Ambitiously
“Starting today, I’m going to read one devotional, one chapter of the Bible, and pray ten minutes each day.” That’s a great idea, but if you aren’t used to reading devotionals, this is like going from 0 to 100 MPH in a scooter. It might be possible, but it isn’t sustainable.
Instead, find a short devotional and stick to that. You might not be able to spend 20 minutes a day at first on a devotional. But you can probably spend 3 minutes. Start there and work your way up.
2. You Get Too Far Behind
Yearly devotionals are my greatest demise. When I’m in November and find myself reading February 5th’s entry, it’s hard not to feel inadequate. That’s why I generally don’t choose devotionals that correspond with dates…or if I do, I ignore them completely.
Right now I’m reading the year-long Bible, and I think I’m in “May”. But that’s okay. I didn’t start the thing January 1st anyways, so there’s no guilt to feel.
3. You Do Your Devotionals at the Wrong Time of Day
I tried the early morning thing. It didn’t work for me. Sleep was far too seductive. Then I tried the before-I-go-to-bed thing…again, sleep beckoned with a sweeter voice.
Instead, I now build my devotional into my daily to do list. I get to check it off my list and it feels great!
Maybe that won’t work for you…but you need to experiment with a time of day that works best for your schedule. Maybe lunch? Maybe take up smoking and do it during your smoke break? (joking)
4. You Lose Interest
Let’s be real. Sometimes the devotional gets weird mid-way through. I know my wife and I had a problem with our marriage devotional when it started talking about infidelity or child-raising. Neither of us have cheated that I know of, and we don’t have children yet.
It would have been easy to just lose interest and stop reading when the book got into all of that stuff. But instead, we just skipped those. We felt a little guilty, but we shouldn’t have. The devotional is a tool to help you grow closer to God. It doesn’t control you, you control it. Don’t let it make you feel guilty.
So that’s my list. What would you add to the list of things that keep you from finishing your devotionals? Comment below.
And oh; a little plug here. I wrote a devotional. I’d encourage you to check it out. I bet you’ll actually be able to finish it.
