Why (and HOW) Busy Moms Should Read the Bible

People may ask, ‘How do I get in the habit of reading the Bible?’ but first I want to address WHY we should read our Bibles.

Today’s devotional is about why you should read your Bible – and, more specifically, why you should read the Bible more often than not. I know that we are all busy mamas, but I hope you’ll grant me a few minutes to convince you why reading our Bibles is so critical. If you’re already reading your Bible daily, I pray that this will encourage you to keep going and to help others to do the same!

#1: Reading the Bible changes our lives.

Listen to this incredible 2-minute video from Messenger International about what happens to us when we read our Bibles four or more times per week:

Reading the Bible 4X per week from Messenger International on Vimeo.

When we are reading our Bibles more often than not, it changes us. When we open our hearts and minds to God’s powerful words, we are allowing God to transform us.

This is called repentance. And, no, I’m not talking about beating yourself up after you sin. Repentance comes from the Greek term “metanoia.” Meta = change. Noia = mind. Metanoia means a changed mind. A new mind. When we are engaging our minds in God’s Word, it transforms our mindset, our way of thinking. And when our minds are changed, our lives change, too.

Not only will our lives change, but this will touch the lives of those around us (1 Timothy 4:16). This is the best way to impact our children and our spouses.

Do you feel like you need a change in your life? Maybe you feel defeated by the way you’ve been impatient with your kids or overwhelmed by anxiety – but there is hope. God can renew you.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

The study quoted in this video says that when believers read their Bibles four or more times per week, they struggled less with anger, loneliness, bitterness, alcoholism, feeling spiritually stagnant, and viewing porn. They also were more able to share their faith and disciple others.

Are you surprised by the power of God’s Word?

We shouldn’t be shocked by the power of the Holy Scriptures.

On the other hand, the study found that those believers who did not read their Bibles frequently lived lives that were indistinguishable from people who did not believe in God.

“In fact, the lives of Christians who do not engage the Bible most days of the week are statistically the same as the lives of non-believers.”

Understanding the Bible Engagement Challenge: Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4
Arnold Cole, Ed.D. & Pamela Caudill Ovwigho, Ph.D.

Today, if you are feeling controlled by your anger, overwhelmed by loneliness or bitterness, or battling addiction to pornography or alcohol, the first thing you can do is pick up your Bible and read.

If you have a friend who is suffering through any of these problems, point them toward the Scriptures. They are powerful and effective.

[Note: I do not believe that the Bible should replace counseling or therapy. Each of us can benefit greatly from counseling! The Bible and mental health counseling can work together hand-in-hand.]

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

If you want to read the full study mentioned by the Messenger International video, visit here.

#2: Reading the Bible connects us to God Almighty

When we read our Bibles, we are reading the words of the Creator of the universe. This cannot and should not be diminished. If we understood how crazy powerful and insanely loving God was, we would devour the Word every chance we got.

As busy moms, we can’t ever be TOO busy for God – in fact, the busier we are, the MORE we need time with God.

The fact that God desires to be close to us, to have a personal relationship with each one of us, is astounding. We should take advantage of that!

Not only does God change us through His Word, He also loves us and is present with us through His Word.

God is calling to us through His Word – will we answer His call?

Seek the Lord while he may be found;

call on him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake their ways

and the unrighteous their thoughts.

Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,

and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Isaiah 55:6-7

So, why DON’T we read the Bible?

We’re too busy.

In this crazy, chaotic season of life, we have allowed ourselves to be too busy for the Being who knit our children together in our wombs. Look, I’m certainly not diminishing the stressors of life with young children – but let’s also be realistic about what we’re prioritizing. We have to get creative about how to connect with our Father, but let’s not allow laundry, dishes, educational podcasts or TV get in the way of the life-changing Word of God.

We are self-sufficient.

Sometimes, I don’t even think about reading God’s Word. This is probably because I’m relying on my own strength and wisdom to get me through the day. It can take physical pain or a crippling challenge in my day to get me to remember God. The thing about my chronic pain that I’m grateful for is that it helps me to realize something that was always true, whether or not I’m in pain: I need God. I am dependent on Him. Mamas, let’s not get stuck in a difficulty before we turn to God.

We don’t want to address the issues going on in our lives.

I’ve experienced this in my own life again and again. I don’t want to “go there” with God, so I just don’t pray or read my Bible. I don’t want to deal with the issues swirling around in my heart and mind so I just cut off my connection with God. Here’s the thing about this: it only works for so long. Eventually, we have to deal with what we’re going through. We have to face the difficulties, the sin, the heartbreak, the questions. And the sooner we do it, the sooner we can get strength, power and true transformation from God’s Word. I know it’s not easy to “go there” emotionally with God, but it’s so worth it. Every. Single. Time.

We don’t know where to start.

How many times have you re-read Genesis because you just didn’t know where to begin wading into God’s Word? Or perhaps you’ve started reading something and it was just confusing and overwhelming. I get it. Even after almost two decades of being student of the Bible, I come across verses and stories that are confounding, perhaps go against what I think God stands for, or just don’t make sense to me. Sometimes, the Bible is weird. That’s why I’m so grateful for other Christians who are reading their Bibles that I can talk with. And we live in a time with SO many resources available to us!

If you want to start reading your Bible but don’t know where to start, I’m going to give you a suggestion. I’m reading through a Bible reading plan right now with the other women in my small group and it’s been wonderful. We’re using the First5 app and going through a Bible study of Matthew. Each day we have a reading and a short devotional as well as thought-provoking questions at the end of the devotional. The readings and devotionals are brief but impactful. And learning about Jesus is a great place to start! Here is the link for the First 5 Bible Study of Matthew.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Here are some of my favorite Bible study resources to start reading the Bible daily:

The Bible app by YouVersion for your phone or tablet. They have tons of reading plans available as well.

Bible Hub is one of my favorite tools for Bible study. Whatever verse you’re studying, you can plug it in to their search engine and it’ll give you other versions, comparative verses, the Greek/Aramaic/Hebrew translation and a few commentaries as well.

First 5 by Proverbs 31 Ministries is a fantastic Bible study app for women by women.

Blue Letter Bible is one of my favorite resources for Bible study. I typically use this website to look up commentaries on Bible verses I’m reading if I want deeper study or if I’m confused by something. One of my favorite commentators on Blue Letter Bible is David Guzik. If there’s a chapter I want deeper understanding about, I’ll just Google “David Guzik Colossians 2” and click on the BLB link.

What are some of your favorite Bible study resources? Comment below!

I pray that this devotional today will encourage you to dig into God’s Word daily!