We all go through doldrums in life. Periods when our bodies and minds just need a rest from times of stress and exertion. We have to recoup our energy for the next great output. Everyone needs a break. A few times people have asked me how they can stay motivated studying the scriptures when they hit these slow spots. The short answer is this: having success generates motivation. Excitement generates motivation.
Think of when you were young. Did you get up every day excited to go to school?
How about a day with friends at the beach or an amusement park? Did you have any trouble getting out of bed on those days for an early start? If you’re normal, probably not.
Your excitement for the prospects of the day gave you the motivation to get out of bed and get moving.
If you have a goal to work out, maybe running or lifting weights, you will be more motivated to continue the habit if you are seeing success (running faster or farther, or lifting more weights).
It’s the same with scripture study. If you are getting revelation and having positive experiences, you will want to continue. You know there is more to come and you are making steady progress.
So what do you do when you encounter a difficult day, or a day when your schedule is thrown upside down? What do you do if your mind is in a fog and you just don’t feel like reading, let alone studying and searching the scriptures? Do you take a break and say, “maybe not today”?
I hope not. This is when good habits can save you and motivate you to do something.
This is an opportunity to mix up what you’re used to doing and try a new approach to your study. A fresh approach or the right tool, can trigger revelation and success, and thus excitement and motivation.
This is why I created Scripture Notes because you can dig deeper and get more revelation faster. That doesn’t mean you don’t ever have a day where you feel like you could have gotten more from your study, but it’s easier to get out of a rut when you start having success finding connections and getting deeper insights.
Here are some things you can try when you’re having a slow day. Share your ideas in the comments below.
(Featured image by alphaspirit @ 123rf.com)
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