How Life Gets In the Way of a Relationship With God

How Life Gets In The Way Of A Relationship With God-I have no idea where
this blog came from. One day, the title just popped into my mind. I have a
bit of a disclaimer, though. When I talk about life, I am not referring to
my "unique" life but, rather, what I assume life is like for other people.

The first area that, I would think, that gets in the way is time. For me,
having time to build a relationship with God is not a problem. However, I
imagine that it is not so easy when you have a family, job and other
commitments. I suppose that it is a matter of making the time to spend with God.
I know. That is easy for me to say but maybe not so easy for the one who
actually has to do it.

A second thing that can get in the way are our priorities. Even I have had
to work on that one. I have had to force myself to read Bible and other
Christian things before I check my e-mails or do anything else on my
computer. It is no problem now but it sure was at first. Even now, once in
awhile, on a church evening there is something on tv that I really like to
see. I am tempted not to go to church. I don't give in to the temptation but
it is still there. If, with my limited scope of activities, I sometimes
struggle with keeping my priorities straight, how much more difficult it
must  be for Christians who have more things trying to pull them from time
with God. Things like job, family commitments, commitments made to
other people, etc. Ultimately, though, we all pick our own priorities. God
won't do it for us so it is up to us to have priorities that please Him.

Another thing that can get in the way are afflictions of any kind. I know
from personal experience that a unusual discomfort or worry about finances
or whatever can hinder time with God. I start praising God but, before too
long, my mind is back on my "affliction". I imagine the same is true of
other Christians. But it is nevertheless up to us whether or not we allow
our "afflictions" to pull us entirely away from God. However, I have also found that
afflictions can draw us to God. It boils down to this. In times of
affliction, do we run to or away from God? Our choice.

Emotions are another thing that can get in the way. When our emotions are in a good place, it is a lot easier to pursue a relationship with God than when we are feeling out of sorts, angry, depressed or whatever. For me, it is usually a matter of giving in to the emotion at first but then to pull myself together and do what I know I should do. It is the same for us all I guess. We all have emotions, both good and bad, and it is our choice whether or not they hinder our relationship with God.

Finally, there are people who get in the way. I don't usually have that problem but I imagine it is for other people. Sometimes, somebody will want to do something when you want to read the Bible. Or maybe you get a visitor when it is time to go to church. Or maybe there is a family affair at the same time as church. Whatever the scenario, people can get in the way of developing a relationship with God. I can certainly not offer any advice on what to do when people get in the way. I will just say that, like everything else, we ultimately have to decide whether or not people will interfere with our time with God. At times, it is not an easy decision either.

There are a lot of different things that try to prevent us from developing a relationship with with God. But, as I was writing this, I came to understand that we do have a say in the matter. It boils down to this. Do we want a relationship with God badly enough that we will discretion ourselves when different  things try to get in the way?