“This month, I am going to take my writing seriously.”
“This year I am going to learn how to speak French.”
“This year, I am going to lose 3kg.”
“This month I am going to study three hours a day and finish my textbook.”

Does this sound like you?
And then a few weeks or months later, you can barely keep up.

Many times, we make resolutions concerning matters of our natural lives and struggle to fulfill them.

Now, project that same reality onto what often happens with our devotion to God.
It is not strange or unusual for believers to experience seasons of inconsistency or a decline in devotion after starting out with great zeal.

It can start with struggling to find time to pray or read the Bible, perhaps because of the day’s workload, guilt from sin, or even missing a day of devotion. What started in light begins to feel heavy, distant, or dim.

These things happen. But while we often fixate on the inconsistency and stumble, sitting in guilt and self-condemnation, we must remember this truth: God is always ready to uphold us and help us walk again in the light.

Psalm 37:24
New King James Version
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.

2 Timothy 2:13 
New King James Version
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

These scriptures remind us that even when we stumble or experience moments of faithlessness, God does not abandon us. He remains faithful. He reaches out to uphold us and draw us back into fellowship with Him.

Throughout Scripture, we see men who stumbled in their devotion yet found restoration when they turned back to God.

David
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the death of her husband, Uriah, as recorded in 2 Samuel 11. After being confronted by the prophet Nathan, David did not hide in shame. He ran to God for mercy.

Psalm 51:1 
New King James Version
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

Though David faced earthly consequences, Scripture shows that he was forgiven, restored to fellowship with God, and still called a man after God’s own heart. God did not extinguish his light. He restored it.

Peter
Peter walked closely with Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, yet during Jesus’ trial, he denied Him three times (John 18:15–27).

John 18:17
New King James Version
17 “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”
He said, “I am not.”

After the resurrection, Jesus did not condemn Peter or dwell on his failure. Instead, He gave Peter the opportunity to reaffirm his love and calling in John 21:15-17

Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” and each time entrusted him again with responsibility.

Jesus met Peter in grace not shame. He did not focus on Peter’s denial. He invited him back into the relationship and purpose. Peter’s return to Christ was itself an act of devotion.

The Prodigal Son
The prodigal son left his father’s house, squandered his inheritance, and returned only when he had nothing left.
Luke 15:20-24 tells us that while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him, ran to him, embraced him, and fully restored him.

The father was watching. Waiting. Ready to restore. The moment the son turned back, restoration began.

These examples remind us that while believers should not intentionally walk into sin or compromise, when we stumble, the right response is not withdrawal but return. God’s light is not withdrawn from us in moments of weakness. He calls us back into it.

Once we recognize inconsistency in our devotion, we must also seek practical ways to walk wisely and guard our devotion.

One challenge may be poor time management. Sometimes, we allow distractions to consume our day until we realize there was no time spent with God.
In response, set simple structures. Choose a time for prayer and a time for reading the Word. Wake up earlier if possible. And if a full devotion is not feasible on a particular day, take a short moment, even fifteen minutes, to commune with God.

Just as you eat a small snack when a full meal is not possible, take moments with God rather than doing nothing at all. Do not overcompensate with guilt. Stay connected to the light.

Another helpful step is accountability.
Is there someone in your circle who can encourage you in your walk with Christ? Reach out. Ask them to check in with you.
And when you miss a day of devotion, do not sit in shame. Do not allow guilt to paralyze you. Simply return the next day.

Growth is gradual. Stamina is built over time. Falling does not disqualify you. Rising again is part of the journey.
When you stumble or experience inconsistency, regardless of the reason, remember this: this is the best time to run to God, not away from Him. His steadfast love never ceases. His mercies are new every morning. His light is still available to guide, restore, and strengthen you.

Restoration begins with a single step back toward God, and He always meets us when we turn. The goal is not perfection, but faithfulness. Even your return to Him is an act of devotion.

Prayer Point
Father, help me to rise again when I stumble in my devotion. Teach me to lean into Your grace rather than guilt. Help me set structures that will strengthen my devotional life throughout 2026.