Q&A #001 – How to plan for spiritual health before a season of exhaustion?

This is such a great question!  I’ll be honest, I wish I’d had a plan for spiritual health before my seasons of exhaustion.  When I had my kids or as I anticipated my mother-in-law’s passing, my only plan was “survive.”  

I know a plan sounds scary, especially with all the unknowns of becoming a mother of two.  Therefore, I use “plan” loosely in my answer.  We are NOT talking about creating a detailed list of what you will accomplish when, or how many verses, chapters, books you are looking to read.  (Unless making those kinds of goals is life giving for you, and you can be realistic, then go for it!)

Instead, focus on:

1.  making your devotional choices (rather than plans) ahead of time.
2. pointing your heart to depend on Jesus.

For spiritual health, make your devotional choices before the season of exhaustion.

When preparing spiritually for a season of physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual exhaustion, the goal is to make your choices ahead of time.  This way, when you have a few free minutes to read you don’t have to waste brainpower making a choice.  You just pick up and go. 

Here are some areas I recommend you make your choices:

Choose an energy appropriate devotional plan (or several).

I find having several different devotional plans that I can flip between depending on my energy and brainpower to be helpful. 

For example: If I’m having a really tiring day – I may just read the Proverb for the date and maybe the Psalm with the matching number.  And I might read a devotional if it’s handy.

On a day where I want to do more, but still don’t feel like a WHOLE lot… I’ll read over the Bible passage I’m working through that week, using my Devotional Journal to help me put thoughts in order. 

Having a plan can be the difference between spending time in prayer and Bible reading and not.  And when I prepare in advance for both the energetic and the exhausted days, I can use my limited mental resources best in the moment.

If you’re not sure how to make a devotional plan, especially one that will fit seasons of exhaustion, check out our Devotional Plan Flowchart System to see if any of those plans resonate with you!

Pick a book of the Bible to read in your quiet time.

No matter what your devotional plan entails, I strongly encourage you to pick a book of the Bible to read continually throughout this season.  

In the homeschooling world this idea is called “rowing” a book. Purposely read the same book over and over and over again.

• If you have a baby, decide: “During the 4th trimester I will read the book of _____________.”
• If you are instead anticipating the death of a loved one, decide: “After my loved one dies, I will read the book of ______________, for the next three months. And then I will read _______________ for the next two months after that.”
• If you are already in the midst of a season of exhaustion, pick your favorite book. And go from there.

Don’t set goals for your reading unless you feel you need that extra motivation.  

In seasons of exhaustion, where not much seems to sink into your brain, don’t give in to the pressure to move on and “accomplish” extensive Bible reading. 

Pick a book of the Bible, or a chapter, and sit in it for a season.  Read a verse or two at a time, or a paragraph.  The next time you read, read them again, or the next verses/paragraphs.  There is no rush.  Allow the Spirit to join your heart with His Word.  Just pick up and read what you can.  It may be 1-2 verses a day, or if you are feeling good, a whole chapter. Just keep doing the next verse or chapter until the book is done, then repeat. 

Your method is simple: Pick up, read, repeat.

Reading and re-reading a passage of scripture is SO beneficial to our hearts and minds, even if we don’t FEEL like we’re getting much out in one sitting.  The Spirit of God uses His word in our minds and hearts.  Remember, our job is to read the text faithfully.  His job is to make sure the Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

Purchase your Bible reading, prayer, and devotional tools ahead of time. 

Having a great devotional plan won’t help you much if you’re too tired to order the needed supplies.  

As you plan for spiritual health, decide what tools and devotionals you might want to supplement your reading of scripture. 

Put them on your baby registry.  Mention them when someone says, “Let me know if you need anything!”  Buy them yourself.  Just make sure they are waiting and ready to go when you come home from the hospital, the chemo-therapy treatment, or hear your loved one has passed.  

If I was to create a “Season of Exhaustion Survival Kit”, here is what I would include at a minimum:

• • The Bible
  • A scripture-based devotional (pick one)
    • Gracelaced by Ruth Chou Simons (Hardcover only)
    • More Precious than Gold by Sam Storms (available paperback or Kindle)
    • Not by Sight: A Fresh Look at Old Stories of Walking by Faith by Jon Bloom (available paperback and Kindle)
    • New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp (available  hardcover and Kindle)
  • Mini-Prayers Journal
    • PDF printable
    • Printed book

Extra resources that are super helpful when the deepest parts of grief and exhaustion begin to lift but you aren’t back to normal yet: 

• Devotional Plan Flowchart – This PDF printable outlines the Devotional Plan Flowchart System. 
  I recommend this resource because there is always a temptation to jump back into life full speed as you move out of a season of exhaustion.  I designed this devotional system to work you slowly back into devotional practices of greater intensity.  It will guide you in those unsure days where you may not be sure how much you feel up to doing. 
• Rejoice Always: A 100 Day Gratitude Journal – Focusing on gratitude in times of exhaustion can help lift the spirit and give a slight energy boost.
  • PDF printable
  • Printed book

• Devotional Journal – This tool walks you through a passage of your choice with a series of guided questions drawing you deeper into the text.
  • PDF printable
  • Printed book in color (or black and white)
• Valley of Vision – I am so thankful for pre-written prayers during times I’m exhausted.  They put words to the needs of my soul that I cannot verbalize myself.

For a new mom, I recommend getting digital resources whenever possible. 

With my babies, I did all my devotional reading on my phone while I was nursing.  I didn’t read books if they weren’t available on my Kindle or library app.  So, consider whether you want the print or digital (if available) version of the resource you get.    

Post Bible verses around your house.

There will be days (weeks) where you don’t pick up your Bible.  You can still expose yourself to scripture multiple times a day if you post verses around your house.

I recommend choosing verses, or passages focusing on God’s character.  The purpose of our Bible reading isn’t to feel or do better, but to walk in awe of who God is.  Passages filled with God’s majesty will enliven your heart.

Also, choose verses that speak to the specific struggles you are having.  Bathe yourself visually in scriptures touching your life circumstances.

Place the verses in places where you’re most likely to see them.  Are you suck to a chair nursing for hours at a time? Great! Put the verses there!  Wherever you will be, prepare that space with touches of the Holy.