What If I Don’t Like Reading My Bible?
What If I Don’t Like Reading My Bible?
Over the years that I’ve been a Christian (which is about 30 years!) I’ve discovered something: I don’t always like to read my Bible. This might seem shocking! I write a lot about Bible reading and I do a lot of Bible reading, but sometimes I don’t like reading my Bible.
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with life to read my Bible. The to-do list seems unending, and I get nothing done each day. I feel like I need to do laundry, wash the dishes, clean up, and do everything else around the house – other than read my Bible. Or I feel weighed down by the stresses that are a part of life. Relationships are just not perfect. Conversations that didn’t go well play on repeat in my brain. Often, I am so busy with the stress of having five kids, a busy husband, and more that I don’t feel like taking the time to sit and be quiet enough to read God’s Word.
Sometimes I feel too hurt by life to read my Bible. There have been seasons where I’ve been so beat down by grief, heartache, and sadness that reading my Bible felt too difficult. I didn’t want to read about God’s love, mercy, and the joy of the Lord when all I did the previous day was cry into my coffee. Life is too difficult, and too painful to pen my God’s word and read the pages of scripture.
Sometimes I feel too stupid to read my Bible. There have been times when I’ll be in a particular book of the Bible, usually in the Old Testament, where I feel stuck. I don’t understand what the words mean. I can’t grasp the meaning, and it seems not even to relate to my “real life.” The Bible feels too daunting and I’m disappointed in my ability to understand. I don’t like not understanding and so I just stop reading if I feel stuck.
Other reasons in our life pop up that might keep us from reading our Bible. Maybe it is distractions, or lack of focus that keeps us from reading. Life can be very hard and painful at times, and so reading the Bible feels cruel because the truths there just don’t match our feelings. Or, I have so much on my plate to do that reading my Bible feels more like a chore than a gift.
During those times when reading my Bible is hard and I don’t want to do it, I turn to Paul’s words:
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10
There can be weariness when we come to our Bible reading, but we can know for sure that fruit is coming. What I love to say (and remember) is that nothing is wasted and you aren’t behind.
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When it comes to BIble reading, it is OK if you don’t want or like to read. It could be a season, and that’s ok. But don’t make that season last forever and don’t give up. God will help you and below are some tips I’ve found really helpful when we feel stuck in our Bible reading. You are not behind. You can start today! And God will use any season.
5 Tips for How to Start Reading Your Bible Again
- Try reading a familiar passage. Pick verses that have been a comfort to you before. Maybe write them down, or start memorizing those passages that brought you peace, joy, and hope in the past.
- Try to start somewhere easy. If you don’t know where to start you can try these three places: Psalms, the book of John, or Genesis. These are great books if it has been awhile since you read the Bible, or you’ve never read the Bible.
- Try to read first thing in the morning. We are so fresh and new in the morning. I find this is the best time to read my Bible.
- Try listening. Maybe reading is hard because of health issues. Listening to the Bible being read is a great option. You can download the YouVersion app and start listening right away.
- Try to find a friend. I know when I have someone cheering me on and reading the Bible with me, I tend to do it more. Getting back into reading the Bible sometimes means we reach out and ask someone to read with us!
I love to check things off my to-do lists. Studying the Bible is one of those items. Also, I keep a spreadsheet tracking what bible books I have read. I also love spreadsheets. It becomes a goal and I am goal-oriented. I am a procrastinator but I use it to my advantage. Wash dishes or sit and read? That is a no-brainer for me. But a messy house doesn’t drive me crazy and I know that wouldn’t work for everyone. It doesn’t mean I don’t miss a few days but I always catch up. Sometimes I read and nothing sinks in but I still do it. I have to have faith that I will learn and absorb at that reading what God wants me to read and absorb.