For When You’re Too Drained for Quiet Time

Exhaustion is a part of womanhood. Whether from work outside of the home, homemaking, child-rearing, or volunteer opportunities, women can often run themselves ragged with the many hats they wear and responsibilities they take on. This exhaustion can make traditional devotional time difficult to maintain, leaving us with guilt tacked on to our overwhelm. However, the Lord has given us a spirit of freedom and provided many means for worship and devotion. Today’s world offers numerous avenues for study, growth, and connection to God.

How can we stay connected to God without feeling the pressure to complete our devotions in a prescribed manner? The first step is a willing heart rather than a perfect routine. We want presence over pressure. When our exhaustion causes us to miss a quiet time with the Lord, we have not failed. There is grace for these moments, but we can also implement sustainable rhythms to help us avoid guilt when we miss a day of devotion.

We know that God understands our struggles and our weaknesses, as Psalm 103:13-14 reminds us, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” Our God has compassion to offer us when we feel that we aren’t measuring up. Keep your reverence of God your priority, not your Bible reading plan.

Here are three low-effort alternatives to traditional devotional time that will keep you spiritually strong even when your devotional times aren’t picture-perfect.

Audio Devotions

Podcasts and audiobooks are helpful for spiritual growth, but don’t have the same devotional feel as quiet times do for reflection and prayer. Try an audio liturgy, Scripture, or prayer recordings. Often recorded in calming tones, these Scriptures and prayers can offer a meditative spirit and calm amidst chaos. You can easily play them while getting ready for the day, driving, or doing chores around the home.

Outdoor Pause

Step outdoors once a day, or at regular intervals throughout the day, for a spiritual pause. Close your eyes, soak up some sun, and take a deep breath. Use this moment to acknowledge God’s presence in your day, seek connection with Him and ask for help with whatever you are facing at that hour. Give your day to Him and remind yourself of His care. Isaiah 40:29 tells us, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” God can provide us the strength we need through many different means. There isn’t only one formula that He uses. Nature and sunshine are God-created means for helping restore His creatures. Our lungs, which allow us to breathe, were designed by a wise God who knew how deep breathing could calm our spirits. Our eyes were made to see beauty to restore our souls. Looking at the world He made can teach us about God and draw us to prayer, as well as many a devotional book.

Just One Verse

The concept of meditating on something or pondering something in our hearts is repeated throughout Scripture. To think deeply about something, it must be specific or small. It would be hard to ponder or meditate on the entire New Testament at once, or even on an entire chapter of the Bible. However, one verse can be thought over in close detail, studied, broken down, cross-referenced, sung, and memorized. Focusing on a single scripture passage for a day or a week can deepen our devotion, despite its simplicity. Choose a verse that applies to your current needs, whether they are spiritual, emotional or physical, write the verse down on a card to bring with you, and even place it in strategic locations in your home, vehicle, or place of work. Read it frequently. Set it to music or find a musical version online. In spare moments, look up key words in the verse in the dictionary or on Blue Letter Bible. On another day, check for a cross-reference in the Bible. Do a brief internet search on the historical context. Pray the verse. Make this Scripture your continual devotion to the Lord as you learn it, speak it, pray it, and believe it.

As women, our duties and cares will often lead to exhaustion. The busyness of life can begin to push out our ability to diligently pursue consistent, formulaic devotional practices, leaving us ashamed and worn out. Yet God’s compassion is ever present, and His resources never run dry. With a willing heart and some creativity, we can find ways to pursue truth and connection with God even in these seasons where traditional methods seem impossible.