I know we are all in a crisis and how we spend our time looks a little different these days. In my case, I have been able to work from home and lose two hours of commute time everyday. Yet, despite the “extra” time saved by not commuting, I find myself reaching the end of the day having accomplished the same or less than before. Mostly it is because I have not chosen to spend my time well. I will be on social media for thirty minutes and not have gained anything. Can you relate?
So often it feels like there isn’t time to accomplish everything we “need” to. Time is not the enemy. It is how we choose to spend our time that can get us into chaos and overwhelm.
Therefore, I set out on a mission to figure out what the Bible says about time management and how I can spend my time in a fulfilling way so that I can maximize what God has given me to serve his kingdom.
Why is it so hard to manage your time?
I found that when I am overwhelmed or don’t have clear direction I don’t know where to start. I tend to procrastinate and spend my time doing worthless things.
Satan loves to distract us from our goals and purpose. He wants us to go down the social media rabbit hole and leave us in a place of shame and guilt for misusing our time.
Time is very valuable. It is so important that we keep our focus on God and make the most of our time here on earth.
Bible Verses About Time Management
As Christ followers, we are to manage our time wisely. Our time here on earth is fleeting. There is a time for everything but we don’t have to do everything right now. The Bible has a lot to say about time management and planning for your purpose. Time management skills help us learn how to be good stewards of and prioritize our time for the betterment of others and the kingdom.
Ephesians 5:15: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Psalm 90:12: So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Colossians 4:5: Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
4 Ways To Use Your Time Wisely as a Christian
You don’t need to work harder, you need to work smarter. God wants you to use your time wisely to fulfill your purpose and achieve great things for the kingdom. Time management isn’t always about doing it more, it is about helping you get intentional with your time to accomplish those things.
Seek God Daily for Time Management
In order to know God’s desires and how your time should be managed, you need to seek God daily. Start your day in God’s Word to learn more about what he wants for your life. God speaks through His Word!
Meditate on the Bible verses above to know how to be a good steward of your time.
Once you understand who God is and who he says you are, you will be able to prioritize what’s important to make an eternal impact.
In everything we do, we must seek God first. We must choose to spend our time wisely so that we can best serve God and others.
Get A Goal Planner
I use a goal planner to set out 3-month goals then break them down into weekly, monthly and daily tasks. This helps me to know how to use my time wisely.
I love the Cultivate What Matters Goal Planner. It has helped me get clear on my goals and how I can intentionally use my time to advance the kingdom.
Use the SAVERS Method
The SAVERS method has become a non-negotiable for how I spend my mornings. It’s a great way to start the day on the right foot and prioritize your time.
Silence: I have a child so this one is a little hard but I like to start my day with a few moments of silence. I put my phone in another area of my room so it’s not the first thing I look at. I take a few deep breaths or do a meditation to start my day calmly and with intention.
Affirmations: I have Bible verses posted above where I do my make up so I can start my day with biblical affirmations. By doing daily biblical affirmations, you will be able to combat whatever lies are thrown your way with biblical truth.
Visualization: Visualize how your day is going to go. What do you hope to achieve? How can you use your time to achieve your goals?
Exercise: There is a definite need for regular movement every day. God wants us to be good stewards of our time and bodies. Exercise has a ton of benefits for starting your day and helping you spend your time wisely. It can help you build better habits and disciplines as well as have a far greater impact on your day.
Reading: I am following along with my read-a-bible in a year plan with my church. Each morning I spend about 25-30 minutes reading my NIV Beautiful Color the Word Bible. My child has caught onto this habit and likes to color next to me while I read. This helps me start my day armed with the Word of God.
Scribing: I use a gratitude and prayer journal each day. This allows me to be in touch with God before the day even starts. You can literally write about anything that is on your heart. The more you write, the more you will gain clarity on all that God has in store for your day. And an attitude of gratitude can help improve your perspective on life.
Set Limits on Your Phone
Smart phones have become a huge part of our lives. On average, a millennial spends 5.7 hours on their phone (https://www.provisionliving.com/news/smartphone-screen-time-baby-boomers-and-millennials). That is not time you can take back!
I can scroll through Instagram for hours and come up feeling empty. My productivity goes out the window when I spend too much time on my phone. Take back control of how you use technology.
I have used the time limit on my IPhone that allows me to track how much time I am using on each app. I am not saying social media is bad but this helps me get real and intentional with spending my time wisely for advancing my kingdom purpose.
Prayer for Time Management
If you are struggling to manage your time well, ask God for help. Time spent in prayer is time well spent. Through your communication with God, you will get more clarity and focus on what you should be doing with your time.
“Lord, I am overwhelmed with all that I need to do and don’t know how to spend my time wisely. My life is hectic and messy. I repent of the times that I get caught up in my worries of lack of time that I procrastinate. Give me wisdom to plan out my day and the knowledge of time management skills. Establish your priorities in my heart. Help me focus on the essential tasks at hand and know how to be a good steward of my time. Thank you for equipping and empowering me to fulfill my purpose. I can do all things through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”