When Life Feels Like a Downpour

Some days everything feels like a downpour—work, school schedules, meals, ministry, emotions, expectations. You sit down for prayer or Bible study, hoping to meet with the Lord, and your mind scatters before you can begin.

It takes me back to riding with my mom in a heavy storm. She reached for the radio and said, “Turn it off so I can see.” I laughed then—but I understand now. When the rain is pounding, even good noise keeps you from seeing the road.

That’s what happens in our spiritual lives. We’re trying to meet with the Lord while the radio of life is blasting. No wonder we feel disconnected—from Him and from our kids.

I’ve Walked This Road Too

I didn’t grow up without faith. I grew up in church. I memorized Psalm 100 in K-5. I attended church services regularly, led Women’s Ministries, and checked every “Christian woman” box you could imagine. And yet—I was moody, unstable, overwhelmed, and often deeply depressed.

I could hold it together in public. But at home? With the people closest to me?
I was falling apart.

And I didn’t understand why.

I kept telling myself, “I’m busy… I’m in church… I listen to Christian radio… I’m doing fine.” But the truth was, I wasn’t fine. I was spiritually scattered—especially in my time with the Lord.

I tried to read my Bible, but if it didn’t happen, it was "ok". My quiet time was inconsistent, rushed, or skipped altogether. I even sought Christian counseling, which helped—but it wasn’t the turning point.

The real change came when I learned how to create steady, intentional, distraction-free time with God—every day.

That was more than 15 years ago. And this simple framework is what transformed everything in my life:

• My mood stabilized.

• My depression lifted.

• I no longer needed medication.

• My relationships healed.

• My home became peaceful.

• And I became steady—finally.

This is the same framework I now share with moms because I know firsthand how powerful it is. It took my quiet time from scattered to steady—and it will do the same for you.

Let me show you how.

The 3 Essential Movements to Go From Scattered to Steady

These three movements will help you focus your time with the Lord in a way that feels clear, calm, and completely doable.

1. Prepare for Focus

Your only job here: Schedule it.
Put your time with the Lord on the calendar as a non-negotiable appointment—a time when you know nothing else is pulling on you.

Pen it in.
Protect it.
Show up for it.

When you schedule your devotions like you schedule everything else important, your heart immediately shifts from “I’ll try to fit this in” to “This matters. I’m meeting with the Lord.”

This one step alone quiets half the noise in your life.

2. Direct Your Attention

Once you’re there, keep it simple and purposeful.

Choose ONE intention for your time.

Do you want to:

• Learn who God is? Read the Psalms.

• Gain God’s wisdom? Read Proverbs.

• Know what Jesus has done? Read the Gospels.

Pick one direction and stay with it.

Stay present for the time & intention you’ve allotted.

No multitasking.
No jumping up.
No racing through the moment.

Just read, reflect, pray, write, and listen.
To make this step even easier, I’ve listed my go-to Bible, journal, and pens in the bonus section at the end.

This is where your scattered thoughts settle and your soul is nourished. One focused moment becomes a real meal—not a spiritual snack mix.

3. Build the Rhythm

Steadiness is created by small, repeated choices.

Communicate your commitment.

Tell your family and friends:
“I have something important scheduled at this time.”
When you honor it, they will too.

Show up—daily if possible.

If something outside your control interrupts your time, don’t give up.
Show up for ONE minute.
Read ONE verse.
Hold ONE truth.

But don’t let that be your norm.
This time is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your family.

Let desire grow.

What begins as discipline becomes delight.
You will crave this time the way you crave your favorite morning drink.
And your love for God deepens every time you show up—
because Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
You cannot follow what you do not know.
Your commitment to meet with Him is how you show your love for Him.

Rhythm transforms your spiritual life from scattered and unsure to steady, strong, and beautifully grounded.

Where Do You Feel Scattered Today?

If your time with the Lord feels rushed…
If prayer gets swallowed by noise…
If Bible reading feels inconsistent…

You’re not failing—you’re just trying to see the road while the radio is blasting.

I’ve lived that storm. I know what it feels like to want God but not be able to quiet your mind long enough to hear Him. And I also know the peace that comes when you create steady, intentional time with Him.

So pause for a moment and ask:

Which movement is missing for me?

• Am I not scheduling my time with the Lord?

• Am I not directing my attention with purpose?

• Am I not building the rhythm that steadies my walk?

You don’t need to fix everything.
You only need to start with one step.

👉 Identify your missing step.
👉 Take one small action today.

Small beginnings turn scattered days into steady ones.

For tools that help me in my own Bible study—and for weekly encouragement to stay focused in your walk with God—see the resources at the bottom of this page and sign up for Faithful Fridays.

As you quiet the noise and meet with Him, the fog lifts… your heart steadies… and the road ahead becomes clear again.

What Happens Next Is Shaped by Your Choice

When you create steady, intentional time with the Lord, everything shifts—you feel calmer, your reactions soften, your home becomes more peaceful, and your kids sense the difference. You begin to hear God clearly, your emotions stabilize, and the storm inside finally quiets.

But when you keep trying to live spiritually scattered—rushing through devotions, skipping time with Him, letting the “radio” of life blast—you stay unsure, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the very One who gives you wisdom and peace.

One path leads to clarity, strength, and a grounded, steady heart. The other keeps you stuck in the fog.

The choice is simple—and it starts with one small step today.

 

Before You Go… Three Essentials That Can Transform Your Quiet Time

When you’re building a steady rhythm with the Lord, a few simple tools make all the difference. These are the three items I personally use—the ones that help me stay focused, organized, and fully present during my quiet time.

Each tool has a purpose and helps you engage with God clearly and deeply.

And when you put all three together, your quiet time becomes something you look forward to, not something you squeeze in.

1. A Bible That Helps You See More Clearly

My Favorite: The 4-in-1 Parallel Bible

If you’ve ever wished you could understand Scripture more deeply without getting overwhelmed, this Bible is a gift. It places four translations side-by-side, allowing you to compare words, phrases, and nuances instantly.

You don’t need commentaries.
You don’t need multiple books open.
You simply read—and the meaning becomes clearer.

Benefits:

• See how different translations express the same truth

• Understand Scripture in richer, deeper ways

• Perfect for Bible study, journaling, and teaching your family

• Makes your quiet time more engaging and eye-opening

This one tool multiplied the impact of my Bible study.

👉 NIV, KJV, NASB, Amplified, Parallel Bible, Hardcover: Four Bible Versions Together for Study and Comparison Hardcover (Hardcover)

👉 NIV, KJV, NASB, Amplified, Parallel Bible, Leathersoft, Black: Four Bible Versions Together for Study and Comparison Imitation Leather  (Imitation Leather)

2. Pens and Highlighters That Make Bible Study a Joy

Smooth, No-Bleed, Made for Bible Pages

Nothing disrupts your quiet time like pens that smear, bleed through thin Bible pages, or feel scratchy when you write. This set solves all of that. The gel highlighters glide on smoothly without bleeding, and the journaling pens give you crisp, clean lines that make note-taking easy and enjoyable.

The pastel barrels feel comfortable in your hand, and the size is perfect for both quick notes and longer study sessions. Whether you're underlining a key verse, highlighting a promise, or jotting down what God shows you, these tools help you stay focused and engaged.

Benefits:

• No-bleed gel highlighters—perfect for thin Bible pages

• Smooth writing pens that flow effortlessly

• Comfortable grip that prevents hand strain

• Ideal for underlining, marking, and journaling

• Long-lasting tools you’ll reach for every day

When your tools make Bible study easy and enjoyable, you naturally stay focused longer.

👉 Mr. Pen- Gel Highlighters and Pens, 8 Pack, Pastel Barrel, No Bleed Through, Bible Journaling Kit

3. A Journal Designed for Real Study

Thick Paper • Spiral Binding • Pocket Storage

A good journal turns your quiet time into a treasure you can return to again and again. This one has thick, high-quality paper that prevents bleed-through, plus a spiral binding that lays completely flat while you write.

But one of my favorite features?
You can create an index as you go, so you can easily find every verse, insight, and answered prayer. There’s even a pocket in the back for verses, sermon notes, or prayer cards.

It’s sturdy enough to carry with you, beautiful enough to enjoy daily, and available in several colors so you can choose the one that inspires you.

Benefits:

• Thick paper for clean writing—no bleeding

• Spiral binding for a flat, comfortable surface

• Back pocket for important notes or keepsakes

• Easy indexing system for quick reference

• A journal you’ll love opening every day

This is the space where your walk with the Lord becomes personal, memorable, and life-giving.

👉 Taja Lined Spiral Journal Notebook

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