Five Steps to Study the BibleSample

Step #2 - Be intentional. Protect & Prioritize Your Time with God

This tip is vital to ensure that you consistently prioritize investing time in God's Word. As a newlywed and new mother of a pre-teen, I encountered the need for this lesson early on in my marriage and continue to grow in it. My heart desired to become the best wife and mother I could be, but I realized that I couldn't meet my husband and son's true needs on my own. It became clear that I needed to fully surrender to God by dedicating time to immersing myself in His Word and being open to His guidance whenever and wherever it was required.

This brought to mind 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”

When I was single, I could freely enter any room in the house and disconnect from distractions to focus on reading the Bible. However, now that I am married, it has become important for me to communicate my intentions to my family and establish boundaries around my time spent with God. For instance, when I have a desire to study, I give them advance notice and kindly request not to be interrupted, unless it's an emergency. While it may seem extreme, safeguarding and prioritizing our time with God is essential for us. He equips us with the strength and wisdom we need to endure any challenges we face.

Whether you are feeling tired, busy, overwhelmed, depressed, or emotionally drained, know that God's strength is made perfect in your weakness, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:9. By intentionally seeking Him first, everything else falls into place, as Matthew 6:33 illustrates.