The Hardest Decision We Face Every Day: Choosing God First

 

The Struggle We Face Daily

Every day, we make countless decisions—what to eat, how to spend our time, where to focus our energy. But the hardest choice? Choosing to put God first.

We may have every intention to prioritize Him, yet the weight of our responsibilities, distractions, and mental fatigue often push faith to the back burner. We live in a world that demands urgency, making it easy to let spiritual growth become an afterthought. Why is it so difficult to keep God at the center of our daily lives? And how can we make intentional shifts to overcome this struggle?

 

Bible Verses on Keeping God First

• Psalm 119:37 – "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word."
• Proverbs 3:6  - “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success

Why is it Hard to Choose God First?

Choosing God first sounds simple—but let’s be honest, it’s one of the hardest things to do. Even when we long for a closer relationship with Him, life pulls us in every direction. Responsibilities pile up, mental fatigue sets in, and daily distractions push faith to the back burner.

 

Here’s the truth: keeping God first isn’t just about discipline. It’s a battle against busyness, external pressures, and even our own expectations. We are naturally drawn to comfort, control, and what feels urgent. But God calls us to trust Him, even when our schedules are full and life feels overwhelming.

 

·       Factors That Make It Difficult to Prioritize God

Mental Fatigue & Busyness

·        When our minds are exhausted, we struggle to focus on anything, let alone our faith.

·        Between work, family, and responsibilities, finding time for God can feel like an added task rather than a source of peace.

Entertainment & Distractions

·        Social media, TV, and digital distractions constantly compete for our attention.

·        We often reach for mindless scrolling instead of intentional time with God.

Internal & External Pressures

·        The pressure to meet expectations—whether from ourselves or others—keeps us in a cycle of striving rather than surrendering.

Emotional Overload

·        When life feels overwhelming, we sometimes shut down instead of turning to God for strength.

Control & Self-Reliance

·        We try to handle everything on our own instead of trusting God’s plan.

Lack of Immediate Gratification

·        We live in a culture of instant results, but God’s timing is not always immediate. Waiting on Him can be challenging.

No Structure or Plan

·        Without a plan for keeping God at the center of our lives, it’s easy to let faith slip into the background.

Lack of Grace for Ourselves

·        We can be so hard on ourselves that we believe we’ve failed God if we don’t get it right every day. But He doesn’t ask for perfection—He asks for presence.

 

Giving Ourselves Permission for Balance & Forgiveness

In the midst of everything, God created the Sabbath for rest. He wants us to work hard and put Him first, but He also calls us to rest and trust in His provision.

One Sunday, I was playing a video game with my sister and nieces when someone asked, “What have you been up to today?” I started listing things off—working on Maple Falls, meal prepping, doing laundry, and tackling my to-do list.

My sister, quick-witted as she is, said to me, “Isn’t today supposed to be a day of rest? The Lord said to rest.”

And wow—her words hit me hard.

My first reaction? Guilt. I felt torn—should I be resting, or was I failing to be productive? That guilt spiraled into a bigger realization: I was constantly striving for balance but struggling to give myself grace when I fell short

The truth is, we are not perfect, and we will never get this perfectly right. But God doesn’t hold that against us. He simply wants us to turn back to Him—again and again.

 

 

Small but Intentional Shifts to Refocus & Help with Balance

We don’t need massive changes to prioritize God in our daily lives. Small, intentional shifts can help us build a stronger faith-centered routine:

 

1. Pause & Pray Before Checking Emails 

• Instead of diving into social media first thing in the morning, take a moment to talk to God.

2. Replace 5 Minutes of TV Time with Scripture Reading

• Even a short time in the Word can shift our focus back to God.

3. Set a Reminder to Pray Before Social Media

• A simple reminder can help create a habit of turning to God first.

4. End the Day with Gratitude

• Reflecting on the ways God has worked in our lives strengthens our faith and focus.

 

Reflection Question:

What’s one small way you can put God first today? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts!