Quiet time. How do these two words make you feel? Do you feel at peace or do you feel pressure? My prayer is those of you feeling pressured look at your quiet time differently when you step away from reading this. Instead, I want those two words to be something you look forward to doing everyday.

Peace comes from God, pressure on the other hand comes from this world. God is grace and before we jump into the topic, remember that God sent Jesus “so that there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:1-2 AMP). That law they are talking about are all of the things that were expected of you, pre-Jesus, to get to heaven. So now that we cleared that up, having a ritualistic quiet time with God will not get you into Heaven, it will not make God more or less proud of you, and will most definitely not make God love you more or less. BUT, what it will do is connect you with your Creator. Connect you deeply with your Creator. And it will give you “the peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) Who doesn’t want more peace in this chaotic world?

I’ve been interviewing women several months and am finding that when asked how they make time for God, most start out with an excuse. And they are valid excuses; like I’m in a busy season, I’m not a morning person, I have toddlers at home, I don’t know where to start. I also hear a lot of women say they spend their quiet time in their car worshiping God on the radio, praying to Him at a stoplight, or reading Christian books. Those are all great things and are things that will enrich your relationship with God, but when we talk about quiet time around here, we are simply talking about being in God’s Word with Him. It is promised that His Word is “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12), “right and true” (Psalm 33:4), and “God-breathed and useful for teaching” (2 Timothy 3:16). God will use the time you spend in His Word to use you. He promises us that His word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). I have personally seen this over and over again in my life. Truthfully, almost daily, God uses what I read in the morning to enrich my day or use me in the lives of others. And that’s when it gets fun! You will not want to miss a day with God when you realize without it, you are not living your life to the fullest. With it you will live out “the plans He has for you” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So if you find it difficult to make your quiet time happen, I wanted to share with you two simple tips that helped me make my quiet time a habit:

1-Get an accountability partner. At the time that it all changed for me, we were doing a study with our small group and we would all text each other when we finished our time with God. Or even better, text right when you start.

2-Each night ask God to wake you up early to spend time with Him. I’m serious about this one. One of my Bible study leader’s taught me this one and when she said it I thought she was crazy. But, it worked! God will answer your prayer! I was never a morning person until I started asking God to wake me up early to meet with Him.

If you have any other tips, please comment below. We’d love to share them with our community. I will be praying that there is no more pressure, no more guilt and and next time you hear those wonderful two words-quiet time-that you only feel God’s grace and His peace that surpasses all understanding!

DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU. JAMES 4:8 NIV