Wondering how to have the right attitude about reading the bible? Wondering how you can learn to enjoy a daily quiet time? Learn more here!
Like so many other Christians, I've found myself making goals to "read the Bible more". But that's pretty vague, right? What is "more" and what is "enough" when it comes to Bible reading?
The truth is, those descriptors don't really mean that much. If we just say we want to do "more", we'll end up skimping because we had no real direction, and if we say we want to read "enough", we set ourselves up for failure and legalism because we'll never feel like we measure up if that's our mindset.
Reading scripture isn't about a certain amount of reading per day, and it isn't about how we feel about our reading either. In a lot of circles, Christianity has become synonymous with feeling a certain way. "Feeling the presence of God", "feeling God's peace", or "feeling God's nearness". We base our spiritual health on how we feel or whether or not we *feel* like God is near, pleased with us, etc.
Friends, let me encourage you and remind you: Christianity isn't about how we feel, and spending time with God isn't either. Look at the Psalms. David had emotions from one side of the spectrum to the other, but God remained the same. David felt abandoned (Psalms 13:1-4). He wasn't. David felt afraid (Psalm 56). God was with him. Our feelings are not always reliable, but Scripture is. Therefore, when we come to scripture, we don't even have to "feel like reading". We can come knowing that God hasn't changed even when we are fickle.
I wrote about this topic on Instagram a while back, and here's what I shared as a more helpful gage:
"What I need most is to cling to the Lord. Cling. Trust and believe him. Find solace in his word. Trust what he says about himself and about me. Let HIM be my portion each day. Cling, cling, cling."
God's mercies are new every single morning. God isn't keeping a log of how often we miss our bible reading. That isn't the point. It isn't legalistic to point out that our priorities are messed up, while simultaneously understanding that God isn't holding it over our heads.
Our attitudes about spending time with God do matter. Our priorities are exposed when we choose other things instead of time with God. That matters, and we need to see that clearly. Yet, God isn't keeping a tally of how many times we read the bible in a week. He simply wants to meet with us, show us his heart, and help us have more understanding, peace, and joy in him. And often, the more time we spend in God's word, the more he will cultivate in us a love for that time spent with him.
So if you don't have much of a desire to meet with God, meet anyway, and ask him to help you love him and his word more deeply.
5 Tips for How to Have the Right Attitude About Reading the Bible
1. Choose to Read the Bible Even When You Don't Feel Like It
Remember, you have to build those consistency muscles over time. Just like anything else you do in life, growth, attitude change, and improvement takes time. Meet even when you don't feel like it and watch God slowly change your heart.
2. Don't Expect It To Be Easy
Anything worth doing is challenging sometimes. Resist the urge to only read when it's easy.
3. Ask God to Help You
God tells us to ask Him for our desires (1 John 5:14-15). Ask God to help you do the things that are hard - especially when it's things he calls us to do, like spending time with him.
4. Utilize Audio Bible
While I do like reading my physical bible and feel that sometimes I get more out of it, audio bible is not "cheating". If listening to the bible is going to get you into God's word, then utilize that resource. There are lots of free audio bible options. I like the Audio Bible Gateway NIVUK read by David Suchet, and the Crossway Bible in a Year plan read by Jackie Hill Perry.
Start Small
There's no "right amount" to read everyday. Read a passage. Read a Psalm. Read 4 chapters. Whatever. Just make sure you are reading it in context, but otherwise, just read.
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