4 tips for a consistent quiet time
I think it makes sense for me to start this article with a confession.
Being consistent in my “quiet time” used to be a big struggle for me — particularly when I was in middle and high school. I knew it was important, but definitely didn’t prioritize it as much as I could’ve.
When I would brush off my quiet time, I told myself things (aka excuses) like:
”I’m busy.”
”I’ll get to it eventually.”
”I need to study now, but maybe later.”
”The only person it’s affecting is me.”
Over the years, however, I’ve stopped telling myself excuses and started setting myself up for success. After having a consistent quiet time for over three years now, I’d love to share a few of my top tips to help you, too!
Making the investment in quiet time
To get started, let’s have a quick chat about what I mean when I say “quiet time.”
If you want to know someone well, you have to invest in them, right? Time, energy, knowledge or maybe even money. When you hear the phrase “quiet time with God,” think of it as a Christian’s way to invest in — or better know — Him.
The concept is based upon Jesus’ practice outlined in Scripture of removing Himself from the world to connect with the Father (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). While quiet time for many Christians today includes Bible reading, meditation or journaling, there’s more than one “right” way to personally connect with God.
If you’ve ever struggled to keep a consistent quiet time with God (or maybe don’t even know where to start), you’re not alone. Here are a few ideas to get started with a regular connection time:
Create a routine
Choose one time that generally works for you every day, and stick to it! Create a phone reminder or calendar invite for every single day. If you choose mornings, you can put your Bible on top of your computer or next to your cereal bowl. If nights work better, just add it right into your bedtime routine so it becomes as natural as brushing your teeth or checking your Insta feed.
2. Get some resources
If sitting down and opening your Bible feels intimidating, you can always get some help. YouVersion’s Bible app is a popular option for lots of girls, since it has tons of free devotionals. You could also buy a study Bible (like this) or online study (check out Minted Truth) to give yourself some more guidance if you’re feeling stuck before you even start.
3. Start small and build up
If you were training for the Olympics, you wouldn’t expect to randomly walk right into a gym one day and land a perfect tumbling pass. As a former gymnastics instructor, I can 100% attest you’d have to start small — maybe with a forward roll or a cartwheel (if you’re extra coordinated) before moving on to the more complicated skills.
Well, building up spiritual muscle memory isn’t an instant process either! So start small, maybe with a five minute prayer or reading one Bible chapter a day. After you’ve done that for a week, you can build up to more time or longer biblical passages.
4. Focus on the fun
One thing that’s been critical to my consistency is focusing on actually enjoying the time with God! I changed my mindset from “this is something I have to do” to “this is something I get to do.” Now, I like to grab a fresh cup of coffee and snuggle into my favorite spot on the couch. Most mornings, I read Scripture and journal or pray, but sometimes I just sit and think or even take a quick nap completely relaxed in His presence.
I hope these tips help set you up for success! If you’ve already got these things down pat, stay tuned for our next post where I’ll share about how to go even deeper with God!
What’s been most helpful to you when it comes to connecting with God on a regular basis?
Laura Fooks considers herself a curator of people, content, joy and happiness. She’s the cofounder and CEO of Light Speaks Loudest, and loves spending her free time exploring Denver with her husband and goldendoodle pup. You can follow her on Instagram @lauramfooks.