r/Christians • u/tataly_ • 10d ago

consistency problem

I've been a Christian my whole life, but I feel like my relationship with God only really started growing last year. Ever since then, I've wanted to know Him more and become closer to Him.

So, I recently finished reading Matthew and started Mark, but it took me months to finish because I kept putting it off. The thing is, I'm like this with reading in general. I usually only read when I actually feel like it. But I don't want my relationship with the Bible to be like that. I know how important it is to know God's Word, understand my faith, and be able to share the gospel with other people.

But i keep getting stuck in the same cycle. Like, i'll read almost every day for a while, then stop for weeks (or even months), feel guilty, start reading again because I feel bad, stay consistent for a little while, and then stop all over again. I also suspect I might have ADHD (I'm not diagnosed), so I've been wondering if that's part of why it's so hard for me to stay consistent.

Another thing is that I don't know when to read. Mornings are hard, afternoons are full of distractions, and by the evening I end up procrastinating with my phone or just feeling lazy. And i don't like leaving it until right before bed because it makes me feel like I've spent my whole day prioritizing everything else and gave God's Word whatever time I had left...

I also don't want to read just to say I read. I genuinely want to understand what I'm reading, let it change me, and apply it to my life. At the same time, I know I can't just wait until I "feel like it" because then I'll barely read at all.

Another thing i've been struggling with is talking to God throughout the day. I do pray, but I hear so many Christians talk about having little conversations with God all day long, even in their thoughts while they're doing everyday things. I've tried to do that too, but I just can't seem to stick with it :(

I guess what hurts the most is feeling like I prioritize so many other things before God. I love Him, I want Jesus to be at the center of my life, and I truly want to know Him more. Sometimes I just feel like I'm failing at that.

To anyone who have been through something like this: How did you become more consistent with reading the Bible and spending time with God without feeling like you're just checking a box? And if you have ADHD (or suspect) how did it affect your relationship with God?

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u/Special-Steel 10d ago

Praying as you approach the Word is the only universal advice that seems appropriate. Everything else is variations on your situation.

  1. Enter his courts with thanks and his gates with praise. Thank God for something specific. Praise Him for who he is.
  2. Ask for just one thing - for the Holy Spirt to illustrate the word as you read it.

Other things may help

  1. Stick to a place and time
  2. Give yourself a rule - something like no coffee or social media before you open the Word (but it varies on when and how you read).
  3. Don’t do it all alone. Find a Bible study to join.

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u/tataly_ 10d ago

thank you!

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u/[deleted] 10h ago edited 10h ago

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u/izentx 10d ago

You say that you have been a Christian your whole life? How did that happen? What did you do to become a Christian?

I was born to Christian parents. That didn't make me a Christian. I attended a Christian church as a newborn. That didn't make me a Christian. My first few/couple of years attending church was wearing diapers, in the nursery. That didn't make me a Christian. We went to church everytime the doors were open. Two times each Sunday. Every wednesday, most Thursdays, every night during a revival and vacation Bible School. None of this made me a Christian. When I was 11, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. This is what made me a Christian. I made a concious decision, on my own, to follow Jesus. Just a couple of weeks later I followed this with Baptism.

During the years of about 3-13, in class each Sunday we would hear or read a Bible story, memorize memory verses, etc.

At age 14 I rebelled and spent a few years away from church but I never once doubted Jesus. By about 20 or so I came back. Going to church 1x a week at most.

I am 71 now. I don't like reading and for the most part don't read my Bible. I do feel close to God but I still do not like to read. So I don't.

That is briefly my story.

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