Why is getting back into routine so hard? An honest look at post-holiday struggles, God’s grace for new beginnings, and your invitation to start again.
When Getting Back Into The Rhythm of Routine Feels Impossible
Can I be really honest with you? The month of January has been rough for me.
I spent December doing exactly what I wanted to do – prioritizing Christmas, soaking up family time, and being fully present with the people I love. I said yes to the holiday baking and the late-night conversations and the spontaneous plans. I let my routines slide because connection mattered more than my schedule.
And I don’t regret a single second of it.
But now? Now I’m supposed to snap back into my normal rhythms as if nothing happened. Back to the routine, back to the discipline, back to all the things I let go of for a beautiful, sacred season. And honestly? It’s been harder than I expected.
Maybe You’re Feeling It Too?
Maybe you’re struggling to get back into consistent quiet times with Jesus. Maybe your Bible is still sitting exactly where you left it weeks ago. Maybe you keep telling yourself, “I’ll start tomorrow,” and then tomorrow comes and… life happens.
Maybe you’re looking around at everyone else who seems to have it all together – their routines intact, their discipline unwavering, their spiritual lives thriving – and you’re wondering what’s wrong with you.
Friend, I need you to hear this: It’s okay.
Struggling to find your rhythm again doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. It means you live in a world that doesn’t pause for our spiritual intentions. It means you’re navigating the messy, beautiful tension of being a person who loves Jesus while also living a real life.
What I’m Learning About God’s Grace
God isn’t standing at a distance, arms crossed, waiting for me to “get it together.” He’s right here, in the mess of my inconsistency, inviting me back. Not with shame, but with love. Not with disappointment, but with grace.
There’s this beautiful reminder in Lamentations 3:22-23 that keeps meeting me right where I am:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Every. Single. Morning. New mercies. Fresh grace. Another chance to begin again.
That includes this morning. That includes tomorrow morning. That includes every morning you’ve felt like you’re starting over from scratch.
God Can Help With Consistency
You know who else struggled with consistency and had to start over? Peter.
Yes, Peter – the disciple who walked on water with Jesus, who declared he would never deny Him, who was so confident in his faith and commitment. And then, in Jesus’s darkest hour, Peter denied even knowing Him. Three times. Just like Jesus said he would.
Can you imagine the shame? The guilt? The absolute crushing weight of failing so spectacularly at the moment that mattered most? But here’s what gets me every single time I read this story:
After the resurrection, Jesus didn’t lecture Peter. He didn’t make him grovel or prove himself. Instead, Jesus met Peter on the beach, made him breakfast, and gave him three opportunities to declare his love – one for each denial (please read John 21:15-17).
Three denials. Three affirmations. Full restoration.
Jesus didn’t say, “Peter, you really messed up. You need to get your act together before I can use you again.”
He said, “Feed my sheep.” He gave Peter purpose. He gave him a fresh start. He invited him back into relationship and calling, right there in the middle of Peter’s mess.
This is the heart of our God. He’s not waiting for us to be perfect before He draws near. He’s not keeping a record of how many times we’ve started over or how many days we’ve missed our quiet time or how inconsistent we’ve been. He’s meeting us right where we are. He’s offering us new mercies this very morning.
It’s Never Too Late to Be Intentional With Jesus
Not after a hard season. Not after you’ve “fallen off.” Not after weeks or months of feeling distant from Him. Every single moment is an invitation to start again.
Peter went on to become a pillar of the early church. The same man who denied Jesus three times became the bold preacher at Pentecost, the one who helped establish the foundation of Christianity as we know it. His failure wasn’t the end of his story. It was the beginning of understanding grace at a deeper level.
And your struggle to get back into rhythm? It’s not the end of your story either.
Taking Small Steps Forward
Here’s my encouragement for both of us: Let’s stop waiting until we “feel ready” or until life calms down or until we have it all figured out. Let’s start today – imperfect, and still-figuring-it-out today.
Maybe that looks like:
- Five minutes with God instead of the hour you think you “should” do
- Reading one verse instead of a whole chapter
- A simple prayer in your car instead of a perfectly structured quiet time
- Asking for help and grace instead of trying to muscle through on your own
The point isn’t perfection. The point is showing up. The point is remembering that He’s already shown up for you.
Your Invitation – 30 Days Closer To Jesus
If you’re feeling stuck or struggling to find your way back to intentional time with Jesus, I created something that might help. My 30 Days Closer to Jesus Guide is designed for people like us – people who want to grow closer to Him but don’t know where to begin after life has gotten busy.
[Download the Free Guide Here]
This isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about small, grace-filled steps toward the One who’s already running toward you. Whether you start today or next week, whether you do all 30 days straight or take 60 days to get through it – God meets you right where you are.
The Truth About God
A reminder that we both need, and I love when I preach to myself. God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on our consistency. His love isn’t contingent on our perfect performance. His mercy isn’t rationed based on how well we’re doing spiritually. AMEN!
He loves you, the same on your best day and your worst day. He’s just as present in your struggle as He is in your breakthrough. So let’s release the guilt. Let’s let go of the shame. Let’s stop comparing our lives to everyone else’s highlight reel.
And let’s start again. Together.
Read More on Jen Schreiner
Letting Go of Control: How Trusting God Rewrites Our Life Goals
When You Are Going Through A Valley In Life – God’s Promises
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