77 | Healthy Boundaries for Quiet Time: Reclaiming Spiritual Focus in a Noisy World

Have you ever sat down for quiet time with God only to find your mind wandering or your phone constantly pinging? You're not alone. The struggle to maintain meaningful connection with God amid life's chaos is real—and it's exactly what we're tackling head-on in this powerful episode.

Quiet time isn't just another task on your to-do list; it's the sacred space where your soul finds rest and direction. Yet for many of us, this vital practice gets crowded out by emotional overload, mental distractions, and time pressures. Drawing from biblical wisdom and personal experience, we explore how setting healthy boundaries can transform your devotional life from fragmented to fulfilling.

Jesus himself modeled perfect boundary-setting. Despite endless demands and multitudes seeking him, he consistently withdrew to lonely places to pray. This wasn't neglect—it was alignment with his Father's will. We unpack three crucial types of boundaries that can revolutionize your quiet time.

The beauty of spiritual boundaries isn't just what they keep out—it's what they let in. By creating protected space for divine whispers, you'll begin recognizing God's voice more clearly in your daily life. Your intentionality becomes a powerful testimony to those around you, opening conversations about prioritizing spiritual health in our distraction-driven world.

Ready to reclaim your sacred space with God? Listen now, and discover practical strategies to create boundaries that honor both your relationship with God and your human limitations. Then visit paulabehrens.com/coaching to book your personalized Aroma of Christ coaching hour and create a devotional routine perfectly suited to your life and schedule.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction: Protecting Quiet Time
• 2:13 Living on Purpose in Christ
• 5:45 Three Critical Types of Boundaries
• 9:36 What Would Jesus Do?
• 12:03 Key Takeaways and Closing Prayer
• 13:50 Episode Wrap-Up and Next Steps

Transcript

Paula Behrens: 0:01

Is your quiet time with God frequently interrupted? Do you desire to connect deeply, only to find distractions pulling you away? I understand. Mental noise, emotional burdens and external demands can all compete fiercely for our attention. In today's show we're going to explore how setting healthy boundaries can safeguard our sacred time with the Lord so we are better able to hear His voice and nurture our spiritual growth even on our busiest days.

Paula Behrens: 0:30

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But, truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens: 1:07

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God, but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you.

Paula Behrens: 1:30

Are you curious about what actually happens in the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour? Let me walk you through it. First, we'll talk about your current routine, what's working, what's not, and where you feel stuck or dry. Then we'll walk through your spiritual goals, whether that's deeper intimacy with God, more peace or simply knowing how to stay consistent. Together, we'll build a realistic devotional routine that works for your real life, and I'll introduce you to ways essential oils can help you feel more grounded and connected during your time with the Lord. You'll leave with a custom devotional plan, simple next steps and a fresh wind in your spirit. Everything we do is led by the spirit and grounded in grace, not guilt. So head on over now to paulabehrens. com/c oaching and book your session. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/c oaching (no spaces). It's time to bring beauty and balance back into your quiet time. All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens: 2:41

Welcome to Living on Purpose in Christ, the podcast that helps Christian women connect with God consistently through simple devotional routines. I'm your host, Paula, a retired pastor, grandma and Christian coach, here to walk with you through the challenges of faith, boundaries and wellness God's way. Today's episode is titled "Healthy Boundaries for Quiet Time: Reclaiming Spiritual Focus in in a noisy world. It's going to be practical, real and deeply spiritual, because I know so many of you are struggling to maintain that peaceful, life-giving connection with God in the middle of noise, distraction and emotional overload. Let's begin with this. Quiet time with God isn't always easy. You may wake up with good intentions to spend time in prayer or scripture, but then your phone pings, your to-do list floods your brain or someone in your family needs something. Even when you're physically alone, your mind might be overloaded with worries. Your soul longs for peace, but your reality feels anything but peaceful. Many of you have said, I feel disconnected some days. My mind is all over the place. I'm so focused on others' needs that I miss what God wants to say to me. These aren't your normal everyday distractions. They're signs that your spiritual boundaries need attention. Without boundaries, your quiet time becomes just another box to check or worse, it disappears completely. But here's the good news you can reclaim that sacred space. You can protect it, you can rebuild it.

Paula Behrens: 4:15

Let's talk spiritual boundaries and why they matter. Boundaries are not walls meant to keep people out. They are lines of protection to keep what is holy, holy. Boundaries, when it comes to spirituality, help you define where your responsibility ends and someone else's begins. They help you say yes to the things that matter most, like time with God, and no to the distractions that water down your purpose.

Paula Behrens: 4:47

Even Jesus practiced spiritual boundaries. In Luke, chapter 5, verse 16, we hear that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Jesus was fully God and fully man, yet he intentionally removed himself from the crowd to connect with his Father. He shows us that retreating to a quiet place is not weakness, it's wisdom. Spiritual boundaries matter because, first of all, they protect your heart from emotional overload. Second, they give your mind space to focus on the truth. Third, spiritual boundaries create a margin for God to speak to your heart. And finally, they restore your sense of peace and identity. And who doesn't need that? Boundaries aren't selfish, they are sacred, and if you are like me and want to lead a spirit-led life, biblically based boundaries are going to be essential. So let's talk about three types of boundaries that are absolutely critical if you want to transform your quiet time and reclaim your spiritual focus.

Paula Behrens: 5:52

One emotional boundaries. These are the boundaries that will help you manage your internal world. Emotional boundaries teach you how to not carry what isn't yours to carry. Maybe you found yourself praying for others but feeling so burdened by their needs that you can't even hear God's voice for yourself. That's emotional overload. Scripture reminds us in Galatians, chapter 6, verse 5, that each one should carry their own load. We are called to be compassionate, yes, but not codependent. Emotional boundaries look like saying no when your plate is full, giving yourself permission to rest, releasing the pressure to fix everyone's problems that are not yours to fix. When you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed with the weight of everyone else's burdens, pray this prayer, say to God: God, I give you the things I cannot control. Help me carry only what you've asked me to carry.

Paula Behrens: 7:00

Next, there are time boundaries. Funny thing is we all get the same 24 hours each day, but how we spend those hours may look entirely different from one person to the next, depending on what we decide to prioritize. Time boundaries are so important because that's the way we protect our sacred time with God. Healthy time boundaries look like this: Scheduling your quiet time like any other important appointment, setting alarms or reminders to pause and pray throughout the day, and limiting less important activities that try to crowd out your spiritual practices. In Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 15 through 16, we are urged to be careful how we live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. If you find yourself struggling with not having enough time in the day for devotions, the answer isn't more hours, but rather a more intentional approach to how you spend your time.

Paula Behrens: 8:02

Maybe this is you. You're struggling with mental boundaries, where your mind feels like a battlefield. When you sit down to read scripture, your thoughts spiral into stress or distraction. Well, you're not the only one that's happened to. We've all been there at one time or another. But there is hope. It's called mental boundaries. These are the kind of boundaries that help you filter out thoughts that pull you away from God's truth, and it's biblical. Second Corinthians, chapter 10. 5, teaches us to take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Paula Behrens: 8:40

Mental boundaries include things like writing down those intrusive thoughts to get them out of your head, or meditating on scripture to renew your mind. You can also use calming essential oils to help center your focus. A blend called Clarity is a great oil for this. A breath prayer is also a beautiful way to refocus. Try this if you are struggling with distractions when you sit down to read scripture. First, inhale and say in your mind: God, you are near. Then exhale and say: I rest in your presence. So inhale, God you are near, exhale, I rest in your presence. Inhale, God you are near, exhale, I rest in your presence.

Paula Behrens: 9:33

Let's talk about WWJD. What would Jesus do? Well, Jesus didn't just model boundaries, he lived by them. He had a rhythm, he had a sacred pace. He knew when to teach and when to rest. He knew when to engage and when to retreat. He knew when to serve the crowd and when to be alone with the Father.

Paula Behrens: 9:56

In Mark, chapter 1, verse 35, we hear that Jesus rises early, leaves the house and finds a solitary place to pray, even when people were looking for him. That wasn't neglect, it was alignment. Jesus teaches us that spiritual growth comes not just from doing more, but from doing the right things at the right time as we listen for and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. You are not failing when you withdraw to be with God, you are being faithful.

Paula Behrens: 10:30

It's important to remember that boundaries are not just about what we say no to. They're also about what we say yes to, intentionally and wholeheartedly. By setting these boundaries, we make room for God's invitations into deeper intimacy and understanding. It's about creating space for divine whispers in the midst of life's clamor. When we prioritize our spiritual boundaries, we teach our hearts to recognize God's voice more clearly and consistently, helping us align our actions with his will. This sacred alignment is what transforms our quiet time from routine to richly fulfilling. Moreover, setting boundaries serves as a testament to those around us. It reveals a life lived with purpose and intentionality. When others see us guarding our time, emotional space and mental clarity, it can inspire them to consider their own boundaries or the lack thereof. It's an invitation for a dialogue about prioritizing spiritual health in a busy world. Just as Jesus' example speaks to us today, our commitment to boundaries can speak life and encouragement to those we encounter, to those who are watching us, to those who are around us. It becomes an opportunity to share how prioritizing spiritual health opens pathways to peace, strength and joy that transcends the chaos.

Paula Behrens: 12:03

Let's recap today's key takeaways. First, quiet time is often disrupted by emotional, mental and time-based distractions. Second, setting healthy boundaries is a biblical and effective way to reclaim your spiritual focus. Third, Jesus modeled intentional retreat, and we should too. Fourth, a clear plan and devotional routine can help you stay connected to God in the chaos. Five, you don't have to wait for quiet to come. You can create it by protecting your time with God. Friend, your soul needs this. God is not waiting for perfect circumstances. He's waiting for your yes. If you're ready to go deeper and want help creating your own devotional rhythm and boundary plan, I invite you to book an Aroma of Christ coaching hour with me. This one-on-one session is designed to help you set spiritual boundaries, create a personalized quiet time routine and support your emotional and spiritual wellness with biblically grounded practices. You can book your call today at paulabehrens. com/ coaching.

Paula Behrens: 13:15

Let us pray. Lord, we long to be with you, but the world is so loud and our minds are so full. Help us protect our time with you. Teach us to say no to distractions so we can say yes to your voice. Build within each and every one of us a rhythm of grace and peace. This is what we long for, God. Please help us with this. In Jesus' name, we ask these things. Amen. Remember this you were created for connection. You were made for peace, and your quiet time with God is not just a habit. It is your lifeline. Do all you can to protect it.

Paula Behrens: 14:08

Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you've enjoyed this episode, we would truly appreciate it if you would take just a few moments to follow the show and leave a review. Also, prayerfully consider investing just one hour to deepen your faith and nurture your spiritual growth. In your Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour, you will discover how to craft a personalized devotional routine that will fit perfectly into your busy schedule, incorporate essential oils into your spiritual practices, create an easy to follow tracking plan for consistency and learn tried and true strategies to experience your quiet time with God not just as a routine but as a joyful journey. Schedule your call now at paulabehrens. com/ coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/c oaching ( no spaces). Be sure to check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into him and walking in his wisdom. See you next time.