Why Do I Fall Asleep When Reading the Bible

Sometimes we read, sometimes we sleep, and it'southward skilful when nosotros tin get enough of both. Provincial Afternoon, original oil painting by Steve Henderson, sold.

I was chatting with a gracious and dedicated person the other day who blurted out,

"I tin't read the Bible for twenty minutes without falling asleep!"

You know, not many people are this honest, and if more than of united states were, we'd enjoy being in ane some other's company.

Because every bit I'm sure y'all know, the correct answer to this complaining looks similar this:

"Apparently, you lot practice not accept a close enough relationship with Jesus. If you did, y'all would be so passionate and excited about His Discussion, that you lot couldn't perchance go to sleep."

Dispensing with Convention

There. Now that nosotros've got the conventional, insensitive response out of the way, maybe nosotros can move on to solving the trouble, which to me looks twofold:

one) This person isn't getting plenty sleep

and

2) This person WANTS to be interested in what's in the Bible, but isn't sure almost how to go about information technology.

Let's talk virtually Problem 1 kickoff, with the obvious solution of, somehow, getting more slumber. One of my progeny, in the effort to survive in a common cold, calculating society that treats people similar cattle, works vii days a week at low-paying jobs (she has a degree, past the mode, as do many people you encounter in low-paying jobs) to barely brand it. Add that to the coursework she'southward simultaneously pursuing to ameliorate her lot, plus time to eat and sit with the kitty, and there's not much fourth dimension left to sleep.

Stop worrying virtually convention and being conventional and do things you ain colorful, original, contained way. Mesa Walk, original painting by Steve Henderson, sold. Licensed open edition impress at Groovy Big Canvas and Light in the Box.

Make Sleep a Priority

Merely she makes sleep a priority, grabs what she tin, and when she does arise at 4:30 a.one thousand., it's not for Tranquility Time, but because she has to be at work by 5. Too many Christians feel compelled and impelled to wake upwardly when it'south still dark and "read" their Bible, when realistically they are staring at the tiny print and nodding off.  They need more sleep.

Yous know that snitty piffling ditty — "Seven days without prayer — or Bible reading — makes one weak!"? It's not in the Bible. God will wait, and if you need to catch up on your slumber, He understands. (Incidentally, you tin pray to Him, which basically means talk to Him, anytime. Information technology doesn't have to fit into a designated Quiet Time. And some other Incidentally: the term Tranquility Time is not in the Bible either. Can we get rid of it?)

And so, my gracious and dedicated conversant needs to feel gratis to get the sleep he or she needs. Step Ane.

Less Time, More Interesting

Footstep Two: if you fall asleep after xx minutes in the Bible, so don't read for 20 minutes. Try x. Or 5. Just read something. And ponder it throughout the day. Over time, what nosotros read, and recollect, and pray, adds up.

Step Three, which addresses Problem Two, to a higher place: find a book in the Bible that interests you lot, and read it. Me? I love Genesis, for the stories and mystique; information technology segues into Exodus, which knocks your socks off if yous arroyo it by believing that what it says is true — yes, God parted the Carmine Ocean, and yeah, Moses got water out of a rock. For five minutes out of the day, free yourself from having to discover a natural explanation for these miracles, and blow your heed by asking, "What if these miracles really happened?"

Good God — what does that say almost God?

Now at some bespeak in Exodus y'all're going to run smack into,

"Brand the robe of the ephod entirely of bluish cloth, with an opening for the head in its heart. There shall exist a woven edge similar a collar around this opening, and then that information technology will not tear." (Exodus 28: 31-32) I assure you that most of us, no matter how rested, will autumn asleep afterwards 20 minutes of this.

Skip effectually — Nobody'south Watching

And then feel free to skip. Someday, you may want to come back and actually read this, but today, if you nod off over it and avert the entire Bible because you dread reading virtually the tunic, and the turban, and the linen undergarments, what are you gaining?

There are no rules for reading the Bible, and those who brand them are more concerned about the profit they receive from their study books than they are most your relationship with God.

Go some sleep. Inquire God to aid you with this.

And choice upwards His book and read something in information technology. Inquire Him to assist yous with this, too.

Our God instructs us and teaches the states in the right style (Isaiah 28: 26). Because He is wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom (Isaiah 28: 29), He knows how to work through our unique circumstances with the compassion and agreement that we then desperately need.

Cheers

Cheers for joining me at Commonsense Christianity, where I strive to counteract the messages of opprobrium, reproof, and disapprobation that as well often make up what nosotros follow as religious, and Christian, pedagogy.

God is a God of love — we overlook and forget that, but it is the central point from which every stride nosotros take, derives.

Posts similar to this 1 are

Jesus Isn't All You Need — He'southward All You've GOT

Don't Worry: It's NOT All upwardly to You

Is the Bible Irksome? (at my sister site, This Woman Writes)

trujilloanyinquity.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/commonsensechristianity/2014/02/reading-the-bible-makes-me-fall-asleep.html

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