Hey Macchiato,
I can only relate what I've experienced. I definitely advise to carefully consider everyone's advice, because there is wisdom to be gained in multiple counselors. Consider it all, and pray that the Spirit will deliver you through your unique journey.
Something I want to make you aware of first. Daily devotions, along with Church attendence is so vital in my opinion that I've included warnings against resisting His call, even presuming that the one I'm adressing is prefering to neglect Bible study, prayer, and Church altogether. I wrote it that way to appeal to anyone reading for which the situation applies. I make no presumptions about where you are in any of these disciplines, about your spiritual state, or make any assumptions about your desire to build those disciplines. So please don't take offense. My prayer is that you'll ignore what doesn't apply and jump in where it does. I pray that you and everyone will be encouraged by my testimony about what lays ahead after you embark on this journey, and that you will experience the same, because as I tell everyone I approach in any situation - He will fulfill this promise for you simply because He loves you no less than He loves me. And the end game He desires is applicable to ALL His children.
Hope the poetic license I'm adopting here isn't too screwy!
My story about the benefits of daily devotions. Everything from here definitely applies to me, years of resistance and all.
2 years ago I felt a growing conviction to finally do what other believers had been advising and make a committment to have a devotion each morning before doing anything else. God had broken me to the point of willingness to try anything, a process that took years due to my stiff-necked devotion to finding solutions in anything other than Him.
As to how to define what a devotion looks like which produces miraculous results - here is what worked for me. Start with praying, reading Scripture, and closing with prayer again. That's it. That's the only step-by-step required. Be faithful at that and you will be amazed at what He is able to achieve. What He wants for you to pray about before, what kind of Scripture reading format He leads you to employ, and what He leads you to pray about in closing - that's all between you and the Holy Spirit alone. You are developing the ability to have a conversation with Him all day long, enabling the ability to handle all your responsibilities (I know they are numerous due to your servant's heart).
Anyway with these devotions, God's first goal is to develop the discipline to just do what He says, teaching you the benefits of simple obediance. Be prepared though, He will NOT tolerate ANY excuses. Daily means every single day. Don't feel like it today, feeling ill physically (even to the point of feeling like your gonna throw up or pass out or drop dead at any moment), mentally (doesn't matter the particular malady) or spiritually (no matter how intense the warfare is), or something else or anything else drawing you to give it priority instead - just do what He says - just... do... it. I've done it faithfully for 2 years now, sometimes switching things around, but by the vast majority of days starting off the beginning of the day with my devotion.
I promise as you eventually start to find relief and healing and deliverance, you'll get a glimpse at just how ingenious His plan is, and that awareness will only grow with every new victory. That appreciation for His brilliance will foster greater obedience, which will result in greater works, which will result in - surprise! - JOY. Even to the point of daily joy - which will raise you to maximum potency in evangelism and in edifying your brothers and sisters. They will all be drawn to your confidence, unwavering devotion, willingness to serve and love anyone. You'll be amply prepared to give the reason for the hope that is within you, as we are commanded to, as they have witnessed this in you even while you are simultaneously going through trials and tribulations.
Quick aside, don't neglect Church either - fellowshipping and worshiping and sermonizing - all vital to your health in all facets. And finally join a small group so you can develop friendships that will be vital to forming you into a foe against the enemy and a valued witness to a dying world.
What is so awesome to witness is to realize that you can now recognize that more and more of His promises actually apply to you - belaying the lies from the enemy that those promises only apply to "better" Christians than you. Sound familiar?
And speaking about being sensitive to His Spirit, His goal is to enable you to converse with Him all day long. That will produce greater peace and contentment.
OR
You can continue to resist (like I did), exhaust your patience with Him, and roll over in defeat and remain hapless cannon fodder for every fiery dart the enemy throws at you. Shackled to fear and doubt, pondering why you can't hear God, see any of His promises fulfilled, receive any healing and perpetually seeking advice that you really won't employ anyway.
We're in a war whether we like it or not. So put on the full Armor Of God each morning and go on the offensive by allowing God to shine His light into every corner of your being exposing every lie hiding there, crushing it and casting it out - replacing it with the Word Of God - it's what being filled by the Holy Spirit means. Crucifying the flesh and walking in the Spirit, dying to Self so He can live through us.
Wanna know what Jesus' end game is?
John 15:16-17 NIV
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."
And...
John 15:11 NIV
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and
that your joy may be full."
He is building your spiritual house - the New Creation. He is the foundation Himself. And He is building each story with your cooperation through obedience. And each new story will induce greater joy - joy the enemy can't steal.
And no amount of wind or storm can knock it down - a tremendous testimony to those watching you wondering about the reason for the hope within you.
And when you stand on the summit and gaze at the land, you will realize why He made you, with all your weaknesses and unique gifts, why He put you through what He allowed, demonstrating that your faith remains and that your gifts are being used effectively.
It is here where you will testify that the following has come true for you, too.
Surprised by joy!
John 15:11 NKJV
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and
that your joy may be full."
God bless, Macchiato.
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