The Bible is God’s love letter to us, and He speaks to us through His Word. Reading the Bible is essential to growing in our faith, and it can bring us joy as we learn God’s character on a deeper level.
Still, reading the Bible is not always easy. After all, there are difficult-to-understand passages as well as passages that are difficult to accept. You also might face times when you feel you are not hearing anything new from God.
Yet with encouragement and discipline, you can persevere through hard times in Bible reading to grow in your understanding of God’s Word.
Motivation to Stay in the Word
What should you do when you want to give up on reading the Bible because it feels too hard?
Start by preparing your heart to hear God’s voice. To do that, slow down and make intentional time for Bible reading. When you rush through God’s Word in your leftover time, it can be hard to truly focus on what He’s saying to you. As you develop a consistent time for reading the Bible, consider creating a special space in your home specifically for your quiet time with God.
Additionally, keep these truths in mind:
- The Bible has power.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The words of God have life-changing power, and they are meant to draw us closer to Him.
The Bible was written over hundreds of years by many authors and covers multiple genres, including history, poetry/song, and prophesy. Even so, it is one unified story, and the message has the power of salvation.
- It’s okay not to understand everything.
You will likely have many questions as you dive deeper into God’s Word. We are to be life-long students of the Bible, and that means you won’t completely understand everything on the first reading.
God tends to reveal Himself to us a step at a time. A passage might initially confuse you, but by reading it, you at least become aware of what it says. The next time you read that same section of Scripture, you might uncover more context by reading the surrounding passages. Then, the third time you encounter the passage, you might hear a sermon about it that provides additional explanation. Suddenly, a passage that initially seemed beyond understanding begins to make more sense.
- Accountability makes reading the Bible easier.
Embracing a like-minded community makes any goal easier. Doing a Bible study at church or with a group of friends can help you persevere when reading the Bible is hard. You can encourage each other with what you are learning and challenge each other to keep going. Friends might also be able to help answer questions that arise.
- It’s normal to encounter hard times when reading the Bible.
There are days when the enemy will do everything possible to prevent you from spending time in the Word. Not only that, but amid countless uplifting passages, there are some passages of the Bible that deal with hard truth about judgement and God’s wrath. That means there might be periods of time when you struggle to maintain discipline in Bible reading or begin wrestling with some deep faith-building questions. But don’t give up—there is much to be learned about God’s goodness on all pages of Scripture.
- Trust God, and don’t quit.
Don’t get discouraged if you encounter a passage that stirs up questions about God and how He works. Keep reading and praying for God to reveal Himself to you through His Word. Your questions might be answered with further reading as a clearer picture of God emerges. The better we understand the Bible, the more we understand God.
Making Bible Reading a Habit
Once you are motivated, what are some practical ways to maintain consistent time in the Word and stay encouraged when reading the Bible becomes hard?
- Do a structured Bible study.
Sometimes it is best to have a well laid-out plan of what to read instead of randomly picking passages to read. There are numerous resources available, so check around to find trustworthy sources.
- Memorize verses.
Knowing exactly what the Bible has to say is key when you are faced with temptation. In fact, Jesus quoted Scripture when Satan tempted Him (Luke 4:1-13). Having such a deep understanding of God’s Word also helps one differentiate God’s truth from the enemy’s lies.
Memorization can seem like a daunting task, so begin with shorter verses. Consider writing them out on notecards you can see around the house, and work with a friend to help each other memorize.
- Listen to the Bible.
With technology today, listening to someone read the Bible to you is easy. Chose a Bible app you enjoy and find a narration designed for easy listening.
This is especially helpful for auditory learners. After all, Romans 10:17 says, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- Couple Bible reading with prayer.
Spend time praying about what you have read. Thank God for the gift of His Word, talk to Him about what you read, what it might mean, and how He wants you to respond. He will make Scripture come alive to you and change your life.
- Use a commentary.
You might feel the need for additional context when reading sections of the Bible, and there are also passages that have multiple interpretations. Reading a commentary can provide insight and background that might not be immediately clear.
If you are new to the Bible, it can also be difficult to know where to start reading. Consider starting with the book of John followed by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These books — called the Gospels — detail the life and ministry of Jesus on earth and His gift of salvation. Next, consider reading Genesis and Exodus to get background into Creation and how God began working through the nation of Israel, as the Gospels make many references to these books. Then venture into Psalms and Proverbs for poems of praise to God and practical wisdom for daily life.
Reaping the Rewards of Reading the Bible
As you persevere through hard times in Bible reading, keep focused on the rewards that come from growing in the knowledge of God’s Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Reproof and correction don’t sound immediately pleasant, but they yield long-term benefits of helping us grow in Christlikeness.
Ultimately, we gain strength from God’s Word, and once we begin living according to what it says, we will crave more of it every day. Deuteronomy 8:3 reminds us that “man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”
Takeaway
Growing in our faith isn’t always easy, so reading the Bible can sometimes be difficult. Yet God’s Word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8), and He uses it to speak to us. Our enemy wants to discourage us from reading the Bible, so it is important to remember the power of Scripture and that it’s okay to have questions. Making intentional time for reading the Bibleand having accountability from friends can also help you stay strong in your long-term dedication to God’s Word.
At Abundant Life, we want to help you live a life changed by Jesus. Check out our free Bible study resources to help you study God’s Word and learn about the abundant life He offers!