Eliminating Distractions

Dogs can be hilarious and even annoying with their ability to get distracted. Often cats get pegged as the curious ones, but I have seen more dogs get into trouble being curious and lacking caution. After Evie and I got married, we got a labrador retriever named Callie. Overall she was a great dog, but she was easily distracted by just about everything. She was so curious and full of energy as a puppy, and training was difficult because she was always drawn away by every little thing that came by. Squirrels were the worst, she could spend hours tormenting and being tormented by squirrels. As Christians, I am afraid many of us lack discipline in our devotional life, and we allow dis.... OH SQUIRREL.... distractions to pull us away from focused attention on the Word. How do you eliminate Distractions?


Before we really talk about eliminating distractions; we need to identify them. It is an extremely helpful exercise to ask questions to try to unearth problems in our life. I am going to ask a series of questions, and I want you to answer them honestly:

• When do you typically have your devotion time?
• Where do you normally do your daily Bible reading?
• Do you seem focused during this time? If not, why not?
• Is there one thing you can point to that normally draws your attention away from the Scriptures? Maybe: a ding on your phone, a child, fatigue and sleepiness, activity from others, mind wandering.
• If there is one thing you could remove to allow you to be more focused in your devotion time, what would it be?

Hopefully these few questions have brought a few things to mind that distract you. For some it may be technology (phone, tablet, TV), for others it may be others (spouse, children, roommate), someone else may struggle with themselves (sleepiness, fatigue, wandering mind), or it may be something else. Let's identify what is the biggest distraction for you, and then lets fix it... you ready!?

Eliminating the Distraction of Technology
"The moment of drifting into thought has been so clipped by modern technology. Our lives are filled with distraction with smartphones and all the rest. People are so locked into not being present." - Glen Hansard

Technology is all around us, and is one of the greatest blessings and toughest struggles of our generation. People blame "young people", but I seldom go to a public place where 90% of people of every age aren't glued to their phones. The average American feels the urge to pick up their phone and look at it every 8-12 minutes! Our devotions are important, and the time we invest in reading the Word, and deep thinking about the Word is necessary for every Christian. If you are a person who has your phone on you at all times, how do you eliminate that distraction?

If notifications, dings, alarms, screens lighting up, and more are pulling you from God's Word... get drastic about your actions. Personally, I would get a hard copy of the Scriptures (like actual paper between two covers... a real book) and put all technology away during my quite time. If you cannot be disciplined to not look, then you need to remove that distraction. I love reading my Bible on my iPad, and I love the ability to remove all notifications while I am reading... it has never really been a problem for me. If it is a problem for you, and you identified tech as your major distraction, maybe it is time to remove electronics from the picture during your devotions.

Eliminating the Distraction of Others
While in Bible College, I enjoyed living in the dormitory. Every year I had great roommates, and God blessed our fellowship and camaraderie. With that being said, a small dorm room with multiple roommates can make private devotional time difficult. My freshman year, I found myself waking up around 4:30 just so I could have an hour alone with my Lord. I understand the difficulty of others creating unwanted distractions. Actually, as I am writing this my 8 month old daughter is being quite the little distraction with her attempts to put things in her mouth she is not supposed to...

For you, It maybe that when you try to have your devotions your spouse wants to talk, turns on the TV, or starts talking on the phone. Maybe your young kids wake up super early or keep waking up while you are trying to meet with the Lord. You might have a roommate who doesn't respect your time with the Lord. Could it be parents or a sibling who disturb your quite time with the Lord? Whatever the distraction, here are a few steps to try:

• Talk to them. It may be they haven't even considered that you are trying to have devotions or how important it is to you. In a sweet and calm manner, just inform them that you would like to meet with the Lord at _____ time at _______ place. Most people are very understanding, and want you to have time with the Lord.
• Parents, work together. If young children are a distraction, communicate about what times will work best for each of you to have devotions, and then help one another accomplish that goal.
• Be consistent. Many times people seem rude by distracting us, is that they just simply do not know we are trying to read the Bible. Sometimes my wife thinks I am just messing around on my iPad, and I cannot fault her for trying to pull my attention away to talk. I usually read in the morning, but if for some reason I read that afternoon or evening she really has no idea that is what I am doing. The more consistent you are, the more people will know, "they are having their devos".

Eliminating the Distraction of YOU
"Sometimes my greatest distraction is me."

If we are honest, we distract ourselves far more than anything else distracts us. We allow our mind to wander, day dreaming, worrying, or even just going brain dead for a time. I cannot tell you how many times I have caught myself reading my Bible, all the while my mind is elsewhere. I have to reset, refocus, and backup in my Bible reading when this happens. Waking up early to do devotions and present the problem of fatigue and tiredness too. Ashamedly, I have to admit I have fallen asleep praying more than once. How do you resolve these problems... the problems of you?

If sleep is a problem for you, and you find yourself nodding off during your devotions. Try this:

• Get a drink and snack - a cup of coffee, a glass of cold water, a handful of nuts or crackers. You would be amazed how much having something to munch on can help you stay awake and focused during your devotions.
• Be uncomfortable - This may sound strange, but your problem maybe you are getting yourself too comfy. If you are reading your Bible in bed, in an easy chair, on lounging on the couch, it is no wonder you are falling asleep. Instead, why not set at the kitchen table, on a metal chair, or even on the floor. You don't have to torture yourself, but don't set yourself up for failure.
• Change Devotion Time - If you have tried everything and still just struggle with fatigue, maybe you just need to try another time of day that will work better for you. I believe mornings are best, but that might not be best for you... especially if you keep falling asleep.

If you struggle with a wandering mind, thinking about things to do later that day, day dreaming, or worrying, try this:

• Keep a notepad handy - this has always worked for me. Just keep a pen and some paper nearby while you are doing your devotions... when something pops in your head jot it down on the paper. There is an amazing release when you write it down. The short pause from your reading to write down what is on your mind is time well spent. For me, it gives me the confidence that I can think about that issue later and I won't forget about it. I can then go back to the Scriptures free from thinking about that problem. If something else comes up, I just jot it down too.
• Be disciplined - This can be hard, but sometimes you need to tell yourself "no". Be disciplined and force yourself to refocus.
• Pray - the greatest thing you can do to eliminate distractions of YOU is to pray. Ask God to help you focus on His Word. You will be amazed what a short prayer can do to refocus you.

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