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Morning Quiet Time with the LORD - Preventing Burn Out series

By Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com Girls Ministry

Like in any other profession, Christian Ministers experience "burn out". A lot of times this is because we neglect having a morning "quiet time" (prayer and Bible study) with the LORD.

Popular excuses are:
"not enough time"
"rushed family schedule / preparations"
"inconsiderate roommates"
"early drive times"
and "just don't feel like it"

Evaluate your daily schedule: List what you are spending your 24 hours each day doing. Hone in especially on your morning routines. Identify what steals your time, who steals your time, and how / when it usually happens.

Then ask yourself, "Is it in my control to stop this?" Checking your e-mail the second you wake up is in your control to change. What time you have to arrive at your job is not. (see Proverbs 15:32)

Embrace discipline: Life is full of unexpected occurrences. Some things we just can't control--other people's moods, traffic jams, etc. etc. But, we can control our use of the daily Wisdom that God gives us to live a more peaceful and productive lifestyle. (see Proverbs 19:3)

For example, God's Wisdom tells us that every morning our children scurry around trying to find missing shoes, where they left their homework last night, pack a lunch, etc. etc.

God's Wisdom also tells us that this creates an exhausting morning experience for the entire family, it helps set a negative tone for everyone's day at school and work.

God's Wisdom also tells us that we need to take the time to set up some family schedules, organizational structures, and routines. (see Proverbs 29:17-18)

The principle of "discipline" carries over into all areas of our life--personal, family, professional / job-related, etc. Let's use this God-given gift!

Have an attitude of urgency: What are the "things to do" that you classify as "urgent" day-by-day? Who are the people that you "rush" to respond to or serve daily?

We "make time" and "push through" a lot of crazy circumstances (and people) every hour to meet what we rank as urgent in our lifestyle. Let's make sure to show the same consideration for spending quiet time (prayer and Bible study) with the LORD. (see Luke 11:9-10)

Evaluate your motives: Do we really "value" quiet time with the LORD? Do we honestly think that our "best days" are started by spending time in prayer and Bible study with the LORD Jesus? Are we "doing it" because religiously speaking we know we should?

Morning quiet time with the LORD really does set the tone for the rest of our 24 hours. Although it can be hard / a challenge depending on our living situation / family structure, it is well worth the extra effort and sometimes frustration. (see Hebrews 12:11) When trouble comes (and it will) the LORD will use these times to encourage us and remind us of our true "focus" in life! (see John 16:33)

* This is an excerpt from the book In the Times Girls Ministry by Ruth Tynes. Copyright 2006. It may not be reprinted or posted without written permission from the author. Please contact for reprint permission.