How To Be Alone With God In The Midst Of Chaos

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As we go through life, occasionally there are seasons where our ability to fit our Bible study or prayer time gets skewed. Do you ever wonder how to keep your relationship with God a priority when you’re faced with interruptions or changes in your daily schedule? Relax, my friend. It happens to the best of us. As I pondered over this situation, I have come up with 9 tips to help you find that alone time with God that you seek, even in the midst of chaos, meaning an already busy schedule. 

But it all starts with a simple objective. 

Matthew 6:33 :

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

TLV

Put God First in Your Life

I believe that it goes without saying that prioritizing spending time with God should be your main focus in your life. Without the Lord your number one priority, it’s easy to fall off track and start following the devil.  We cannot let satan lead us down the path of unrighteousness. 

Jesus said in John 8:12 KJV “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

We struggle every day with worldly distractions and ideas about the decisions that we make.  Keeping our eyes on Jesus is the only way to stay in the light and away from darkness.

Philippians 4:7:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

KJV

Which brings us to, how do we get that time alone with God if it’s spring break or Christmas vacation or everybody is home sick? Or what happens when your whole life is turned upside down and you’re living in the midst of chaos?  Let’s break it down, shall we?

We struggle every day with worldly distractions and ideas about the decisions that we make.  Keeping our eyes on Jesus is the only way to stay in the light and away from darkness. Share on X

9 Ways to Be Alone With God in the Midst of Chaos

1. Take advantage of the mini moments

Even with a super busy life, you can always find 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there, to be alone with God.  You wouldn’t think that there is much that can happen in short chunks of time like that, but there really is.  

I recently found a free Bible app that helps with scripture memorization.  The one I chose is called The Bible Memory app.  (Available on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store).  It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s free and when you have an arsenal of memorized Bible verses, you grow in the Lord tremendously.

Another option for memorization is printable scripture cards.  Simply cut them out and use them like flashcards.  Personally, I’m not a fan of his, but this quote by Charles Swindoll is a wonderful reminder of the value of scripture memorization. 

“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture… No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends!

Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified.” 

Charles Swindoll 

Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media while you’re waiting for your child during soccer practice, pull up the YouVersion Bible app and read your Bible on your phone.  (Available on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store).  Or go through one of their Bible Topic plans.  I am usually working on a couple plans at any given time.  

My new favorite plan is The Bible Project’s, The Bible, which is a “through the Bible” in one year plan.  If you’re not familiar with the Bible Project, they produce videos to give overviews of the different stories of the Bible to create better understanding.  If you find yourself with 10 minutes, in the midst of chaos, it’s a great idea to check out their YouTube channel.

Of course Worth Beyond Rubies has many pages of content to bring you closer to God.  My personal blog, One Exceptional Life, has more content including a post addressing how to grow closer to God spiritually that you will love.

2. Use your travel time to honor and be alone with God

The kids always want the radio on while running around town, right?  Get in the habit of listening to worship music or play age appropriate Bible trivia with the kids.  I like to listen to Christian talk radio sometimes, as well.  I always found that the best conversations with the kids always happened in the car while running errands.

Driving time is also a great way of spending time with God in the midst of chaos.  Show your kids what that looks like.  When a nearby driver is swerving, talk to your kids about how we need to pray that that driver recognizes that drinking or texting while driving is so harmful.  

A great way to bring honor and glory to God is to work on your patience while you’re in the car.  Whether your kids are fighting or you’re annoyed at the driver in front of you, recognize that it’s all a lesson in patience.  

Then pray for them. Show God’s love toward them. Forgive them and pray for them.  Don’t cuss them out or get mad at them.  Jesus didn’t do that to His abusers, did He?  

Romans 12:12-14:

“…rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

NASB

3. Pray without ceasing

 You don’t have to sit down and have a full-on prayer with God every single time that you pray. Be thankful for the little things that pop up in your day. Praise God for this, thank God for that.  If someone asks for prayers while you are scrolling through social media, bow your head and pray for that person earnestly. 

You can pray, praise, and worship all throughout the day. For me, when I’m outside and it’s a beautiful day, I offer praise and thanks to God.  If someone cuts you off in traffic and you avoid hitting that person, thank God for keeping you safe. 

I like the idea of keeping a running commentary with God.  That includes asking for forgiveness when we do something we shouldn’t. 

4. Live with intention

Pay attention to what’s going on around you.  Soak up all the little moments. Instead of being annoyed with the laundry, do all to the glory of God.  Be thankful that you have as many clothes to fold that you do. Instead of being frustrated by having to cook dinner once again, be thankful that you have food to feed your family.

1 Corinthians 10:31:

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

KJV

To me, living with intention means that you’re living out your purpose by loving God first and then loving everybody else as you love yourself.  It’s about making the conscious choice to do more of what is important and less of what is not.

Matthew 22:36-40 KJV tells us “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

5. Look for the blessings in everything you face

I am a big fan of looking for the blessing in every situation, good or bad.  Since we are talking about how to be alone with God in the midst of chaos, it’s important to find blessings in the midst of all that chaos as well.  

I am the victim of a flesh-eating bacteria that resulted in the amputation of both of my hands and both feet.  You would think that I would be miserable, sad and finding every reason under the sun to be mad at God.  But I’m not.  

I see my situation as a blessing. I have been given a great gift, actually. God has used my situation to open doors for witnessing. I have been able to show others that through my situation, through faith and gratitude, my relationship with Jesus has grown and my faith is stronger.  And it is all by the wonderful grace of God.

James 1:17 :

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

NASB

So look for those blessings in the midst of chaos.  You will find God working everywhere that you look.

6. Keep a gratitude journal

One of the best ways to count your blessings is to keep a gratitude journal.  Writing in your journal is a great way of spending time alone with God.  Pray gratitude over the things you’re listing.  Many people list 3-10 items every single day in their journal.  

Of course, we are all grateful for our families, our health and our homes.  But in your journal,  dig deeper than that.  What happened today that you’re thankful for?   Sure, life is busy.  But in the midst of chaos, did you hear the word Mommy?  Did you enjoy a hot cup of coffee?  Were you able to reach out and help a friend?

One of my favorite ways to get started in a gratitude journal is to make a gratitude list from A to Z.  A could stand for answered prayers.  What about unanswered prayers that were a blessing?  B could stand for a blessing that happened at breakfast.  You get my point.  Then for each item, be sure and thank the giver of all good gifts.  Remember James 1:17 that I mentioned earlier. 

7. Start your day one hour earlier

I know that this one makes us moan and groan.  If an hour is too painful, try a half hour at first.  I never considered myself to be a morning person before.  But since I’ve gotten into the habit of waking up earlier, I have actually come to enjoy it.  

I have been able to extend my time alone with God and my mornings have gotten way more productive.  Imagine that!  When you prioritize the Lord, I have found that things always seem to fall into place.

With the changing weather, the mornings are brighter and more enjoyable.  We have a huge back deck on the sunny side of our house.  What a wonderful blessing to be able to go outside in the mornings with my Bible and my coffee.  I can talk to the Lord while the sun shines and the birds sing.  Mornings like that truly do put a smile on my face. 

8. Set aside quiet time for everyone in the family

If you can quiet the chaos for everyone, then you can show your family that quiet time is a good thing.  I suggest that everybody turn off their technology. Make it a time to open your Bible or a picture book for younger kids.  

Set the example of what spending time with God is all about.  After all, our kids follow by our example.  Teach them how to have a relationship with the Lord by showing them.  They don’t learn if we tell them.  They learn by watching us.  Showing our kids the importance of having a relationship with Jesus is the most important lesson we can give them.

9. Give yourself grace

I know that it can be hard making time alone with God in the midst of chaos a priority.  Life happens, mistakes get made.  It’s easy to let your quiet time fall by the wayside.  Many times, you could fall asleep at the end of the day as soon as your head hits the pillow.  Then in the morning you realized that there was no Jesus in your yesterday. 

Give yourself some grace, my friend.  Forgive yourself, ask God to forgive you and try again the next day.  The Lord knows the desires of your heart. Certainly, change doesn’t happen without effort.  But until our last day on this earth, there will always be another opportunity.  Even if you have to try to make changes 5 minutes at a time.  

You can do this. Remember the old saying, “if at first you don’t succeed, try try again.”  Just remember,  if at first you don’t succeed,  give yourself that grace.  This simply means, be kind to yourself.  Forgive yourself and move on.

Quiet Time With God – Bible Verses

Lastly, let’s take a look at some Bible verses that address quiet time with God.  Although I’m presenting just a few here, it’s a reminder of the importance of spending time with God.  If it was important for Jesus, it is certainly important for us to do.

Matthew 6:6;

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

KJV

Psalm 1:2:

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.“

NASB

Psalm 91:1:

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

KJV

Mark 1:35:

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.”

NASB

Matthew 14:22-23:

“Right away, Yeshua made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the hillside by Himself to pray. And when evening came, He was there alone.”

TLV

Yes, there are many seasons in our lives where spending time alone with God seems to be an overwhelming task in the midst of chaos in our lives. But it doesn’t have to be. By using these 9 tips, there is no doubt that you can use the mini moments available throughout the day to stay connected to your Lord.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." NASB Share on X

What do you do when you’re faced with interruptions or changes in your daily schedule? Do you let the chaos overwhelm you or do you have another way to keep God at the forefront of your day?  Share your favorite tips for staying connected in the midst of chaos in the comments below.  

Wendy Wallace is a wife, mom, Christian Inspiration blogger and author.  She is also a quadruple amputee.  You can find her at One Exceptional Life, where she blogs about Overcoming Challenges,  Positivity,  Christian Living and Amputee Life.  

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All Scripture comes from the KJV of the Bible except as noted in the verses. These come from:

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation“

Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society.  Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.

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