10 Ways To Grow With God When Life Is Busy

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day lives, it can be extremely challenging to maintain a strong and vibrant faith. As Christians, it's essential to stay firmly rooted and continue to choose to intentionally build every part of our lives on our firm foundation, Jesus. Compromise always seems small and harmless at first, but in the end, it’s always costly and it’s never worth it. 

Every season you’re in will look different, and each season will require different things from you. God knows that. Even when life gets overwhelmingly busy, God promises to be with you and to help you. Keep God as your #1 focus and priority. Here are some helpful tips and practices to implement to continue growing in your faith during demanding seasons.

10 practical ways to continue growing with God in busy seasons:

1. Daily devotion 🗓️:
Prioritize your daily devotion. What’s the very first thing you do every day? Begin each day by giving it to God. Plan it out and schedule it into your calendar with your other appointments. Incorporate some sort of intentional time with God before you do anything else. Carve out at least a few minutes in the morning to read the Bible and pray. It sets a positive tone for the day and allows you to connect with God before the demands of life that compete for your attention steal the opportunity from you.

2. Scripture is the prescription 📖: 
Incorporate scripture into your daily life. Print out or write down verses that resonate with you, and keep them where you'll see them regularly - on your desk, as phone wallpapers, in your car or on the refrigerator. This way, you'll have constant reminders of God's presence and guidance.

3. Pray like cray 🙏: 
Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. You don't need to spend hours in prayer for it to be effective and meaningful. Short, heartfelt prayers throughout the day can be just as powerful. When you're waiting in line, walking to class, stuck in traffic, on your lunch break at work - connect with God. You can talk to Him anywhere and everywhere.

4. Community is crucial ⛪️:
Surround yourself with fellow believers who can offer support and encouragement. Attend church services, join a small group, or if necessary engage in online Christian communities. Sharing your faith and walking alongside other Christians are crucial. Community provides accountability and will help you stay rooted in your beliefs, especially in seasons of life that are busier.

5. Worship 🎧: 
Worship will shift your mood and the atmosphere you’re in very quickly. Incorporate Christian music into your daily routine. Whether it's in the car, during your workout, at the library, while you’re in the shower or while you work, worship is powerful and can serve as a constant reminder of God's love and presence.

6. An attitude of gratitude 💙:
Practice gratitude and thanksgiving often. Take a moment each day to reflect on the blessings in your life. This helps with contentment, keeps your heart soft, pure and open to God’s voice and strengthens your faith in God's provision.

7. Seek solitude 💬:
In the midst of a busy schedule, carve out moments of solitude for reflection and prayer. It could be a walk outside, time in your prayer closet or even sitting in your car before rushing into where you need to be next.

8. Be real ✨:
Set realistic expectations. There will be seasons when your schedule is particularly demanding. Big life changes, busy schedules and living in a broken world should push us closer to Jesus, not pull us away from Him. Don't beat yourself up if you can't dedicate as much time in this season as you could in your last. Don’t compare yourself to other people, and don’t strive for perfection, instead choose grace and obedience. God understands your circumstances, knows the posture of your heart and is faithful to meet you where you are.

9. Take your faith everywhere 🙌:
Find ways to infuse faith into your everyday activities. It could be as simple as praying while running errands, listening to Christian podcasts or writing scripture on your bathroom mirror.

10. Grow in grace 🌱:
Remember that you're not perfect, and it's okay to stumble. When you make a mistake, seek forgiveness and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose.

If you’re intentional, you'll find that no matter what the circumstances are, you can absolutely stay rooted and continue growing in your relationship with God. Remember, it's not about perfection, but about the  journey you’re on with God and the steadfast love of the One who walks with you every step of the way.

How do you stay rooted in busy seasons?

- Carly Lynn // @car1ylynn