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Do you ever want to have a quiet time, but you can’t make yourself do it? That happened to me for ten or twenty years. Each year, I’d put “Have consistent quiet times” on my New Year’s goals list, and each year I would fail to meet my goal.
I wanted to meet with God, but I couldn’t make it happen. In time, I was afraid to put the goal on my list because I knew I wouldn’t be able to follow through with it.
If you struggle to have consistent quiet times, I hope today’s podcast will help. We’ll talk about 10 lies that make us not want to do our quiet times.
Example
Here’s an example: Let’s say it’s 8:00 in the morning and I remember my quiet time commitment, but I have a long to-do list. The first thought that pops into my head is, “It’s not that important. I’ll just skip it today.”
At that point I have three options: 1) Skip the quiet time, 2) try to make myself do it with brute strength (which doesn’t usually work for me), or 3) truth journal so that I actually want to have a quiet time.
When I truth journal, I ask, “Is this belief true? What would God say?” And then I’ll write the truth down next to the belief. The truth will make me actually want to have my quiet time–and when we want to do something, we usually do it.
On today’s podcast, we’ll look at more lies we believe that keep us from having consistent quiet times. For each lie, we’ll look at the truth that will help us to actually want to have those quiet times.
If you’d like to renew your mind while listening to the podcast, just turn the podcast off after I introduce each lie and think about what you would say for the truth before I go ahead and say it.
Here are the lies we’ll be discussing:
10 Lies That Keep Us From Having Consistent Quiet Times
- It’s not that important.
- I’ve read it all before.
- It’s too much effort.
- It’s too boring.
- I don’t have time.
- I can’t concentrate.
- I’ll do it later.
- I don’t have the discipline.
- I need to have an hour to do this.
- God doesn’t want to meet with me after what I did yesterday.
Resources We Talked About on This Podcast
- How to Truth Journal
- Renewing of the Mind Tools
- Anne Graham Lotz printable Ephesians study
- The Magnificent Obsession Bible Study by Anne Graham Lotz
- Renewing of the Mind Project
- Coaching with Barb
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Hi Barb,
I am always so excited to see a new podcast from you, because they are always such a blessing. Today was no exception – thank you!
I signed up for a podcast interview with you, and I have a few questions. :) First, is there anything I need to do to prepare? I have a few things in mind to discuss but wasn’t sure if you wanted me to provide anything in advance so you can prepare.
Second, will you be initiating the call, or do I need to call in or log in to a specific number, like GoToMeeting, Zoom, etc.?
Thanks so much,
Ali
Oh, I’m so glad you commented, Ali, because I forgot that with my new appointment scheduling system, I didn’t mention anything about needing to do the interviews on Skype! I think I can get your email from the appointment and I’ll email you with info right now – just commenting here in case anyone has the same question. Also, I’m so glad you signed up for an interview!
I have a study guide from a Forum of Four fellowship group study that I still use for Bible studies. It’s involved, but phenomenal. Let me know if you’re interested in taking a look at it.
The flesh is good at making excuses that causes us to lose closeness with our Father.
Thanks for the example and encouragement, sister.
That does sound interesting, Floyd. I’d love to take a look at it if it’s something you can email or give me a link to! I’m always interested in looking at new Bible study materials!
Great as usual!
Thanks, Lisa Jo! I’m glad you enjoyed it!