When You Don’t Feel Like Reading the Bible

Scenario: you catch yourself struggling to read the Bible. For reasons xyz, weeks go by before you even look over at your Bible. Or in some cases, you think to yourself: “I don’t feel like reading the Bible tonight. God, can you please forgive me?” And you continue scrolling through social media, watching TikToks, or working or hanging out with friends.

Is this you? It’s been me quite a few times, but my reasons may be cooking, cleaning, sleeping or doing some sort of chore I deem immediate at the time!

So, what do you do when you don’t feel like reading the Bible? When you have no desire to read your Bible?

Step 1: Examine yourself: why is it hard to read the Bible

This is the part that most people skip, BUT not you. You came here to get some ideas on what to when you don’t feel like reading your Bible because you don’t want to stop reading your Bible! (I’m with you on that!)

An important first step is to think about why we find it hard to read the Bible or don’t feel like reading it. Why are you struggling to read the Bible?

Try writing down these reasons so you can have a better grasp of what may be holding you back.

Could it be you’re too busy? You’re spending too much free time on pointless activities? You have too many chores on your plate? You don’t schedule it as a daily activity/task? (Have you heard that saying: if it isn’t scheduled, it’s not real?). Do you think that reading the Bible feels like a chore? OR do you always say: “tomorrow I’ll make time for Bible study or tomorrow I’ll read my Bible.” but “tomorrow” is never-ending?

You could also not want to read the Bible because you have a dry relationship with God. Or you may find yourself distant from Him or upset with Him. You may think He doesn’t care about you. OR you see Him as an angry tyrant/dictator. Or you see the Bible as boring.

Can you relate to any of these? 🙋‍♀️ I can! And with more than one!

Step #2: Pray without ceasing and make commitment(s) to combat this

Let’s look at this powerful bible verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV) which says,

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Anything we are struggling with needs to be taken to the Lord in prayer. And not just once. Constantly. We aren’t driving Him crazy. He hears our pleas and loves nothing more than to be in communion with us! Kneel often throughout your day if you can.

I once heard a pastor say that he sets an hourly alarm on his watch to remind him to pray.

As you pray about your struggles to read the Bible, THANK HIM! PRAISE HIM! Because He’s going to answer your prayers.

Also, remember this verse in James 2:14-26 (KJV) which says,

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

We need BOTH faith and works! (We aren’t saved by works, but by our works we show our faith!)

So, what are you going to do about the things that are making it hard to read the Bible? What can you (and your family) do to either make time to read the Bible or stay committed to reading it?

(Keep scrolling! Next, I have some tips for reading the Bible when you don’t feel like reading it!)

Step #3: What to do when you don’t feel like reading the Bible

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Below, I share some practical tips on what to do when you don’t feel like reading the Bible. These have helped me in the past and I pray they help you as well!

1️⃣Reflect: make a list of who God is and His blessings in your life. It makes a difference! This year, I started keeping a gratitude journal. I bought this one from Amazon (it’s a sketchbook which I write in) and so far, I am loving all the white space in each page and it was affordable!

2️⃣Don’t stop praying to have the desire to read His Word. Talk to Him about it! “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

3️⃣Just do it! Pick up your Bible and read. We have to fight back the desires of our flesh which are against God. Galatians 5:17-21 (KJV) says,

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

There is a spiritual battle going on and satan will do all he can to keep you from getting closer to God. We have to pray and fight back. His Word (and the Holy Spirit) is our weapon against spiritual warfare.

And I am not sure if you know this, but Sodom & Gomorrah’s sins were not just sexual immoralities/indulgences, but they also “had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease … They were haughty and did an abomination before” the Lord. (Ezekiel 16:49-50, ESV).

Two phrases stand out from that verse:

• “prosperous ease” = meaning idleness (And we are idle whenever we spend time browsing/scrolling/watching xyz, instead of spending time with our Heavenly Father.)
• “haughty” = meaning arrogantly superior and disdainful according to Oxford Languages and Google (And we are haughty whenever we prioritize ourselves over God)

Continuing with Step #3: What to do when you don’t feel like reading the Bible

4️⃣Listen to a sermon by one of your favorite pastors or one that spoke to you in the past.

I love sermons from Doug Batchelor and Charles Stanley – really the only two that come to mind right now, but I listen to many speakers because I learn something new from all of them.

5️⃣Join and COMMIT to a Bible study group!

Shameless plug: we have a small Bible study group that meets Thursdays at 5:30pm ET on IG. DM me on there to join😉.

Another good bible study plan is AFCOE, which is one of my favorites! (AFCOE is paid, but they have promotions where you get the courses for FREE! And this is NOT an affiliate link!)

6️⃣Immerse yourself in praise and worship. Hymns are GREAT! Also, the band, Shane & Shane, helps you memorize psalms.

Keep the praise and worship music going throughout the day. And try to play those that you LOVE singing along to and sing them loudly. Trust me, you’ll feel the difference! Songs 4 Worship on Spotify is one of my favorite albums! I tend to avoid a lot of modern christian music because many of them tend to elevate self instead of praising God.

7️⃣Read a book📚 that ignited your passion for Christ in the past. One that I love is called, “If you want to walk on water, you have got to get out of the boat,” by John Ortberg.

Also, consider reading a daily devotional! I do not recommend Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I talk about that book and others over on my book club page. Try to find a Bible-based devotional from an author that practices exegesis. And if you aren’t sure what that is, then read the book called “How to Eat Your Bible” by Nate Pickowicz because it clarifies this nicely!

Step #4: How to enjoy reading the Bible (how to love reading the Bible)

Truthfully, the more time you spend reading God’s Word, the more you’ll fall in love with God and His Word. The more you’ll understand Him. And you won’t be able to stop talking about Him or the goodness He has filled you with!

Pick one of those 7 things to do when you don’t feel like reading the Bible and start on it RIGHT NOW! Don’t wait and keep praying about this. Kneel often throughout the day.

And if you are looking for healing, reading the Bible is healing. Watch the transformation occur.

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16, KJV.

Remember the enemy will try to deter you as you begin your journey to reading the Bible. Stay faithful and fight the good fight.

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12, NIV.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12, KJV.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9, KJV.

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36, KJV.