5 Steps To A Consistent Quiet Time With God

We live in a time when the value of a woman is more than often measured through how much she can produce in terms of income or career accomplishments, but the true value is on what she is able to produce in the hearts and minds of the people that God has given her to tend to on a daily basis.

I believe that the physical and spiritual success of each family is highly influenced by the woman of that home, and when she is steeped in the life giving Word of God, her family is greatly blessed.

For this reason, I want to share 5 steps for developing a consistent quiet time so that you can receive nourishment for your soul and pass it around throughout your day to everyone you encounter.

Step 1. Pray & Ask God For Help

As homemakers, we are tempted to just. start. doing. the. thing. so we hit the ground running at full speed ahead, but listen, skipping this vital first step is the main reason most women don't stay consistent with their quiet times.

The moment that you decide to start spending time reading the Words of the Lord, you will be hit from every angle with spiritual attacks from satan.

He is your enemy and he hates you with a seething passion. He knows that if you are successful at spending regular time with God, that you will become a brighter light in your home and in your community.

He will stop at nothing to keep you from growing spiritually because he knows that your family will also grow spiritually if you do, so you must pray and ask God to help you become disciplined in spending time with Him.

What To Pray For:

• Ask for the discipline needed to make quiet times a consistent habit

• Ask the Lord to give you a hunger and desire for his Word

• Ask for help with waking up earlier

• Ask for help in choosing a place to have your quiet times

• Ask for help in what bible reading plans or devotionals to use

Step 2. Schedule Your Quiet Time With God

After you've made the decision to start meeting with the Lord each day, decide on the time that you want to have your quiet times.

I used to think that it was disingenuous to schedule time with the Lord, I thought that I was supposed to just wake up, have a spiritual feeling and then go do it.

Nope, that's how you keep from having a consistent quiet time.

For things that are important to happen, they must be scheduled and prioritized, otherwise we will get distracted and do other things.

The Lord is always ready and willing to meet with us but the mornings are one of the best times to get started so pick a time to commit to.

Reasons To Have Your Quiet Times In The Morning

• There are less opportunities for distractions during the quiet morning

• This is the model we see repeated by Jesus in scripture

• Our mind isn't yet bogged down by all the noise and news of the day

• We have a better opportunity to live out our day God's way

• Our ability to follow through is stronger as we have more energy

Step 3. Choose a Special Place For Your Quiet Times

Just as important as scheduling your times with the Lord, is where you will spend that time.

It doesn't have to be an elaborate space.

When I first started out, my quiet times were at my kitchen table.

Later, I had a small table next to a chair in my bedroom where I nursed my littles as I had my quiet time.

Years later I had an extra closet that I put a desk in and I would have my time there.

Whatever location you choose for your quiet times, just know that it doesn't have to be a permanent decision. You can change your mind at any time.

Step 4. Remove All Distractions

There is nothing worse than sitting down to meet with the Lord, only to have to get up because you forgot your notebook, or because you don't have a pen.

Even worse is when you're crying because you've received an answer to prayer about something, but you have no tissues.

Every time that you have to get up, you will have to fight to get back to that sweet place of fellowship with the Lord, so go ahead and just remove every. single. distraction. possible.

The biggest distraction will be your phone.

I know, I know. You want to use your phone during your quiet times.

Maybe I'm too old fashioned or maybe I'm just a little too experienced in this but I suspect that your cell phone might start dinging notifications as soon as you are trying to concentrate on the Lord.

You'll start getting calls from India, emails from African princes, warranty messages from China and comments from every social media platform that you follow.

Even if you don't get all of that, the pull and temptation to check and see if anyone cares about you will cause you to check for any new notifications telling you that you're important.

Listen, I'm not trying to be harsh but I am an older woman who is a bit experienced after over 19 years of quiet times and if your true desire is to spend time growing in God's Word, then you are going to have to work for it and protect that time.

Other than putting your phone away, the best way to fight distractions is to be prepared by having all of your quiet time items together in one place which leads us to step #5.

Step 5. Gather Your Quiet Time Supplies

When it comes to having your quiet times, you really don't need much to get started with.

When I first started, all I had was a bible, a notebook for journaling my thoughts, a bible promise book to help me look up needed verses quickly, and a small devotional.

My belongs at that time were so small, I was able to use a basket for carrying to other locations in the event that my original location was hijacked by kids.

Over the years, my quiet time basket has been retired and all of my items stay at my quiet time desk.

As my time in the Word and desire to study it has grown, so has my need for tools and resources. I now have a extra slew of tools to help me dig as deep as I desire.

• colorful pens and pencils

• small post-its

• highlighters

• index cards for writing verses or prayers to carry with me

• bible commentaries

• bible dictionary

• bible concordance

• bible thesaurus

• multiple bible translations

• stationary & notecards

• a candle

• Christian living resource books

• an old ipod for worship music

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. My favorite steps for starting a consistent quiet time with God.

I'm so proud of you for wanting to get in the Word more consistently and I am praying for you that you do it.

Don't give up if you mess up and miss a few days or even a few weeks. Life happens and we aren't to strive for perfection, we are to strive for consistency with quiet times because we want it to be a habit that blesses us.

There will be sick days, there will be lack of interest days and there will be days when you hit the ground running. Just remember that there is grace and help at the feet of Jesus.

For His Glory & In His Name,

- Christine