Whenever we slow ourselves to be with God through daily prayer and Bible study, we will inevitably face distractions, discouragements and difficulties that pull us away from this pursuit. #spiritualwarfare

It’s never easy to start and maintain a good habit but it’s so much harder at the start of this very important sacred habit.

So how do we start and keep it going?

One of the main reasons I wanted to do this series on how to Slow, Know and Grow in your walk with the Lord is because it has been so incredibly important to my marriage. I “know” that my attitudes and behaviors in marriage have been drastically impacted by my time with God and His word.

3 Tips for Keeping and Maintaining this Sacred Habit . . .

1. Remember and realize it heals and benefits your marriage.

As I spent time in God’s word and applied it daily (still do!), God worked/works in my heart to improve my attitudes and behaviors in marriage. For me, this has resulted in my “marriage”—not just my attitude or behavior—improving in monumental ways as well. Truthfully . . .

[bctt tweet=”Without my pursuit of God in the day-to-day, I probably would’ve divorced my husband. #Truth” username=”BethSteffaniak”]

God was the One holding my marriage together, healing my marriage, and knitting my heart to my husband in many mysterious ways BECAUSE OF—and not just in spite of—the marriage messes and hurts I had experienced. The Lord used them all to refine my heart.

[bctt tweet=”God used my marriage messes to refine me and heal my marriage! Find out how He can do that for yours at MM! #Bible #Christ #heal” username=”BethSteffaniak”]

One more quick note here, if you are so discouraged in your marriage that you don’t care anymore whether God heals it or not, then use the motivation of your children to keep you going in your habit. You’ll be a better parent and influence on them if you make God Your constant Influencer!

2. Seek God’s strength when it gets difficult and you want to give up.

And it WILL get difficult! Expect this! Especially if you have little ones underfoot or an overloaded and/or ever-changing schedule. But if you pray each day that the Lord would strengthen your ability to remain true to this new habit, He will provide a way.

“When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.” Psalm 91:15

It might mean getting up extra early (before everyone else), or praying on your drive to work, or carving out 5 minutes to read notes from a Bible study or devotional while you eat your lunch, or perhaps doing this instead of watching TV some evening. 😉

These are all simple, quiet moments that God will point out for you to repurpose in your day.

Speaking of this all-important pursuit, I have a free 6-Week Bible study in 1 Peter, “Holy Living—Wholly Living,” that I am offering through Facebook* starting on April 2, 2017. Bear in mind, my notes only take 5 minutes to read each day. 🙂

And if you have the time and desire, this study also offers a study method for digging deeper into each day’s readings as well.

If you’d like to be added to this group, contact me either through the comments below, or email me at messymarriage@gmail.com. For more details on this group experience and study, click on my Bible Study page.

3. Ask for the support of godly friends.

This could mean going through your Bible study in a group setting or simply asking a friend to hold you accountable in some way.

Your accountability partner only has to text or email you a simple question each week—“How are you doing on your study habit?” Give him or her a score between 1 and 10. This little bit of accountability can remind and motivate you to stick with it.

I have several accountability partners in my life—holding my feet to the fire. And it’s been nothing short of phenomenal! #Marie #Marlena #Pam #Hubby

Thank you to all of my encouragers in my faith! You make a huge difference for me!

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What has helped you to persevere in the habit of your time with God?

 

What is getting in the way of making time with God your daily habit?

 

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*If you would like to be a part of my 1 Peter Facebook study starting on March 2, 2017, you will need to friend me and request to be added to this study. And while you’re at it, I’d love for you to “Like” my Messy Marriage Facebook Page as well! 😉

Here are some lovely linkups I join – Christian Blogger Community, Mondays @ Soul Survival, Testimony Tuesday, Writer Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Coffee for Your Heart, Faith and Friends, Sitting Among Friends, Moments of Hope, Literary Musing Mondays, Fresh Market Friday, and DanceWithJesusFriday

Let’s Get this ‘From Messes to Messages’ Linkup Started!
Add any links that are uplifting, helpful and encouraging to our spiritual lives, marriages and families! Be sure to add a link on your blog back to “From Messes to Messages” or Messy Marriage as well.

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