July 12, 2011 with 9 Comments

386.

When I’m Falling Behind

Do you ever feel like you’re falling behind?

It happens to the best of us. We start off strong, but soon feel like we’re being pulled up by the neck trying to hang on – until we can hardly breathe.

I started reading through my Bible in a year on January 1 like many of you did. But unlike the rest of you who fell by the wayside, I strutted through the cold days of winter and hung on through the long days of Leviticus like clockwork.

Then summer came along and everything fell apart. Now I’m about 20 chapters behind.

What do you do when you’re 20 chapters behind?

It may not be a Bible reading plan for you. It may be a work project, or your closet that’s overflowing and needs to be cleaned up. Or it may be a payment on a credit card that has gone haywire. Or even better, it may be that weight loss plan that has you in a stew – no pun intended.

What do you do when you’ve fallen too far behind to catch up?

1. You work a little bit harder. If you’ve ever been on a hike and have fallen behind, you know that that’s the most obvious solution to catching up. Take bigger steps forward. Don’t stop for breaks. Work a little bit harder. But that may not be the answer for you if you already feel maxed out, or if your goal is to enjoy the scenery along the way. Don’t worry, I have some other ideas for you.

2. You let some things go. Sometimes the only way to catch up on a year long Bible reading plan is to skip 20-30 chapters. In a book of 1189 chapters and a God of extravagant grace, that may be ok if you ask me. Just pick up with today’s reading and keep on going. If it’s a work related project you may not have as much flexibility. For you, lunch may have to go for a while. If it’s a money related problem, you may have to skip that daily starbucks you’ve gotten used to. I like to call it a personal “Triage” system. You decide what has to go. It’s a matter of priorities.

3. You pray a little bit more. Believe me – this is not the most natural response to a time problem, but it’s the wisest and surest one. When Nehemiah faced a broken down wall, he prayed. When Daniel faced the death penalty, he prayed. I’ve found that the greater the challenge that I face, the greater the opportunity for God to work in a mighty way. Prayer is the Christian’s way to tap into God’s power! So stop what you’re doing right now, get on your knees, and beg!

Got any other ideas for catching up? Share them with in the comment section!

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  • Gina

    Morning! When I became Christian I feel closer 2 God .when I fall bhind he brings me up 2 where I need 2b.when my family struggles we open our Bibles.everyday we pray.getting down on my knees thanking God is nothing compared 2 what he gave up for us.Dr.L your a blessing as well.

  • Denise

    Lina, it’s pretty fitting that right where your paragraph ended with “What do you do when you’re 20 chapters behind?” is exactly the point in your blog where I had to click on “continue reading” in order to read the rest of your blog. So there’s your answer – “continue reading”. God, in His mercy, let us know ahead of time that someday we would stand before him to give an account of our life – words we have said, how we have spent our time. Sometimes when I am trying to decide whether to spend my time on an obligation that I have to another person, or a commitment I have been called to make in my heart to my Creator, I have to envision that time of standing before God, explaining my choices, in order for me to make the right one today. And prayer is the only way I know of to stay truly connected to God. His Word is a letter to us, but there is nothing like “face time” with someone we love.

  • Martie

    I love how, when I first clicked on the link from Facebook, it took me to the front page. At the bottom, it said “What do you do when you’re 20 chapters behind?” and the next thing was a link that said, “Continue Reading”! Ha! Maybe someone will see that as a sign!

  • http://ZCxz Milo

    Sacrifice some sleep. get up a little earlier or as others have said continue reading. Adding one chapter a day will get you back on track in 20 days. Keep it up

  • Debby

    Let others help/delegate! Sometimes we think we have to do everything ourselves, when really others can help. Although that doesn’t directly get your own reading done, if what was keeping us from reading is all the other stuff, maybe some help with that stuff will make room for reading time.

  • Tiffany

    And I thought I was the only one 20 chapters behind, summer really throws me off, I find more praying and letting God know my struggles helps me so that I am not so hard on myself.

  • Gina

    OBADIAH-21. still reading. Thanks for sharing/teaching us.

  • Amber

    Thank you! To work hard at anything you need strength. Not just any strength either God’s is the one you need. # 3 You pray a little bit more, goes well with church this past weekend. In Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you , and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

    I think that is the answer when we fall behind on thing in life.

  • Lori Ridder

    I’m about 20 chapters behind too…and I’m a day behind in reading your blog!! But…I have the next couple days off of work and before I started anything this morning, I sat down to begin getting caught up…I am praying the Lord will grace me with the time I need to get all done that needs to get done around here as well as time for me to sit at His feet. Nothing better than filling my mind with His word.