Why You Always Get Tired Anytime You’re Reading the Bible (Here’s the Real Reason)

My brother and my Sister, let me ask you something. Have you ever sat down to read your Bible, full of good intentions and spiritual hunger, only to find yourself yawning after five minutes? Or maybe you open to Psalms feeling energetic, but by the time you reach verse 10, your eyes are already closing like someone sprinkled sleeping powder on the pages?

You’re not alone in this struggle, and honestly, you’re probably beating yourself up thinking you’re not spiritual enough or that something is wrong with your faith. But let me tell you the truth… this Bible reading tiredness is more common than you think, and the reasons might surprise you.

First thing you need to understand is that your mind is probably already overloaded before you even touch your Bible. Think about it. You wake up, check your phone, scroll through WhatsApp messages, read work emails, worry about the children’s school fees, think about what to cook for dinner… and then you expect your brain to suddenly switch to deep spiritual mode? Your mind is already exhausted from processing a thousand things.

The enemy is also not sleeping. I know some people don’t like to talk about spiritual warfare, but let’s be honest here. The devil doesn’t want you reading God’s word because he knows the power it carries. So he’ll make you sleepy during Bible study, but somehow you can watch three hours of Netflix without blinking. Coincidence? I think not.

Dont get tired o, the devil is a liar, oya start shaking your eyes.. lol

Here’s another reason many people won’t admit… we often approach Bible reading like a chore instead of a conversation. You grab your Bible thinking, “Let me quickly do my devotion and tick it off my list,” instead of genuinely wanting to connect with God. When your heart isn’t truly engaged, your body naturally shuts down because it senses you’re just going through the motions.

The timing might also be wrong for you. Many Christians force themselves to read early in the morning because they’ve heard that’s the “right” way to do it. But maybe you’re naturally more alert in the afternoon or evening. God doesn’t have a preferred time slot… He’s available 24/7. Find when your mind is most alert and use that time for deeper Bible study.

Let’s talk about something practical… your reading environment. Are you trying to read your Bible on the same bed where you sleep? Or in that comfortable chair where you always take afternoon naps? Your body has already associated these places with rest, so naturally, it prepares to sleep the moment you settle there.

Some of us are also trying to read portions that are too heavy for our current spiritual level. You decide to start with Leviticus or dive into the genealogies in Chronicles when you’re just getting back into regular Bible reading. It’s like trying to run a marathon when you haven’t jogged in months. Start with something that excites you… maybe the Psalms, Proverbs, or the Gospels.

Your physical health plays a bigger role than you realize. If you’re constantly tired throughout the day, iron deficiency, poor sleep, or other health issues might be the real culprit. You can’t separate your physical body from your spiritual activities. Take care of your health, eat well, get proper sleep, and you’ll find your Bible reading becomes more enjoyable.

Here’s something many pastors won’t tell you… it’s okay to read the Bible in different ways. You don’t always have to sit quietly with a physical book. Listen to audio Bibles while doing house chores, read devotional apps during your commute, or watch Bible-based videos. God’s word is powerful regardless of how you consume it.

The guilt and pressure can also make you tired. When you approach Bible reading feeling condemned about how little you’ve been reading, or comparing yourself to that sister who posts scripture verses every morning, you’re already operating from a place of stress. Stress is exhausting, and it blocks genuine spiritual connection.

Sometimes we’re also reading without understanding, which makes the brain work harder and creates fatigue. Don’t be ashamed to use study Bibles, commentaries, or apps that explain difficult passages. Understanding brings excitement, and excitement keeps you awake.

But here’s what I want you to remember most… God sees your heart and your genuine desire to know Him. He’s not counting how many chapters you read or timing how long you stay awake. He’s more interested in the quality of your connection with Him than the quantity of your reading.

Start small. Read one psalm, one proverb, or one short passage and really meditate on it. Pray before you read, asking the Holy Spirit to open your understanding. Create a comfortable but alert environment. And most importantly, stop feeling guilty about this struggle.

The tiredness you feel doesn’t mean you’re a bad Christian or that God is disappointed in you. It might just mean you need to adjust your approach, take care of your physical health, or recognize that spiritual warfare is real and push through with determination.

Your relationship with God through His word is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, make necessary adjustments, and trust that as you persist, reading the Bible will become less of a struggle and more of a joy.