Encouragement for Today

March 6, 2025 Three Ways To Switch Up Your Quiet Time LYSA TERKEURST Lee en español

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

Do you ever find yourself in a rut with reading your Bible? Uninspired, unmotivated … and maybe feeling a little guilty?

Even as a Bible teacher, I have days when my quiet time feels more routine than full of revelations. Prayer and Bible reading are spiritual disciplines I want to be woven into my life every single day. But I’m realizing even good things need to be switched up sometimes.

Otherwise, I might start seeing my time with God as less important. It becomes the second or third thing I do after other things — seemingly more pressing things. Before I know it, it’s been days since I connected privately and personally with God and His Truth.

And then my soul feels a bit off and sluggish. Like the time in between breakfast and lunch when my stomach has been denied food, and desperation starts creeping over parts of my body. That happens with soul hunger too.

Sometimes, my brain isn’t as quick to pick up on soul hunger. So I just keep moving forward, wondering, What’s wrong? Maybe I’m tired, I haven’t had enough fun, or the weather has been blah.

While some of those things may be true, they’re not the reasons why my soul is depleted.

I need more time with God. And not just more quiet time. I need more listening time.

Like the writer in Psalm 63:1 needed: “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

Recently, as I sat with the Lord, some fresh ideas popped into my mind for how I could change up my personal time with Him and listen more closely to His voice:

1. Give my first thoughts to God by giving Him my first five minutes every day.

I read Bible verses or my morning devotional before I check anything else on my phone. I ask God to help me apply what I'm reading to my life that day. I worship. I listen.

2. Read something from someone I admire and trust.

I pick up a book written by a believer who I admire, and I glean from their godly wisdom. They get my struggles and offer up advice I know I can trust. I listen.

3. Remember God’s faithfulness by reading past journals or recalling answered prayers, even if only for 60 seconds.

Rather than trying to predict the future, I can trace God’s faithfulness from my past. He was faithful then. He will be faithful now. I can breathe in His promises for today. Shake off the anxiety. And be filled with deeper assurance of His presence. I listen.

Maybe you think all this still sounds like regular quiet time, but to me, it’s different. It's a listening time. A time to shake things up a bit and get outside my normal routine. A time to hear God speak. And He does speak — through His book of wisdom, through His people, and through His own faithful character.

And this morning? My soul felt that thrilling and comforting full feeling. Complete. Satisfied. Deeply nourished.

Lord, my deepest desire is to grow a stronger relationship with You. Help me to break out of any rut I’m in so I can connect with You and hear You speak. I want my faith to be the most reviving and energizing thing about my life. Cultivate in me a heart that longs for time spent in Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Now available for preorder … The Trust Journey by Lysa TerKeurst! This interactive journal, designed to be a companion to her book I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t, is complete with reflection questions, guided exercises, Bible verses, a hope-filled playlist, prayers, beautiful photography and more. Get both books here!

ENGAGE

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (NIV).

How might viewing the Bible as “alive and active” change your perspective next time you begin your quiet time?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

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