A Busy Woman’s Guide to Abiding in Jesus

While the world encourages us to forge our own path in life, Jesus shows us a far superior way to live. In His very last hours, Jesus prepared the disciples to live a life without Him by using the picture of a vine and branches to impress upon them His identity as well as what it means to be united with Him.

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit without remaining connected to the vine (John 15:5), we cannot live the abundant life God promises without consistently remaining connected to Him. Jesus used the Aramaic word for “abide” - qewa - which translates to “remain” or “stay until the end,” implying a lifelong, continual connection to Him. 

Jesus wants us to lean on and live by His words. Remaining in Him reminds us we cannot, and do not need to, live by our own strength. Connecting to Him brings spiritual growth, spiritual fruit, and a life that glorifies God. It helps us draw on His love, strength, and guidance when needed and transforms our day-to-day lives.

Remaining joined with Jesus means trusting in Him and His promises. We must rely on His Word as our life source. It nourishes our souls, providing the strength and wisdom we need and produceing the spiritual fruit that shows His character. Staying connected to the vine means knowing we are deeply, fully, and eternally loved by Jesus.

Enjoying this close relationship with Jesus is for every part of our busy, everyday life, yet it doesn’t happen by accident. We must be intentional and committed. Just as with any relationship, abiding requires time and effort. Our relationship with Jesus is unique to each one of us—there is no "one-size-fits-all" way to abide in Him.

Practical Ways to Abide:

Time in God’s Word

Scripture is life-giving and transformative. Just as sap flows through the vine to nourish the branches, God’s Word nourishes our hearts and minds. Make time to study and meditate on His Word regularly. No matter what age or stage of life, someone or something will always compete for your time! Make Him #1.

Tip: Assess your schedule and eliminate time-wasters in your day (mine is getting distracted). Set aside specific times in your day for Bible study, even if it’s only 10 minutes. Use devotionals, reading plans, Bible apps, or journals to keep you engaged. 

Prayer as Your Lifeline

Prayer is a two-way communication with God. Just like any relationship, communication is key. Speak to Him with honesty and vulnerability—share your joys, struggles, and desires.

Don’t forget to listen to His voice. Quiet your heart and hear from Him.

Tip: Find pockets of time for prayer during the day—on your commute, while doing chores, as you spend time outside, before you get out of bed, or as you prepare for the night. Set an alarm to remind yourself if needed.

Incorporating God into Your Daily Activities

Abiding doesn’t always mean sitting in stillness or attending a worship service; it means bringing Jesus into the busyness of your life.

In every moment, you can turn your thoughts to Him. Whether you’re folding laundry, making dinner, or running errands, invite Him into those moments. Give Him thanks, words of worship, and your most pressing needs.

Tip: Listen to worship music, Bible podcasts, or audiobooks as you go about your day.

Overcoming Challenges to Abiding

Guilt Over Not Doing Enough

Remember: small, consistent efforts matter. Don’t let guilt overwhelm you. God sees your heart and your desire to stay connected with Him.

Tip: Celebrate the progress you’ve made, no matter how small. Give yourself grace and ask for His strength. 

Dealing with Distractions

Life is full of distractions, but it’s still possible to abide in Jesus during chaotic times. Just like Jesus made time for His Father amidst His busy ministry (Mark 1:35), it is essential to find time to step away and connect with God. It might even be to step into a dark closet for a moment and ask for peace, clarity, or strength!

Tip: Put down that TV remote, your phone, your tablet, or whatever distracts you. Just like Mary of Bethany, choose “what is better.” (Luke 10:42)

Spiritual Dryness

When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to let spiritual practices slide. But remember, God’s presence is the ultimate source of rest and renewal.

Tip: Ask God to refresh your spirit. Trust that He will meet you in your exhaustion and give you peace and strength. Search for verses that speak to your pain and bring comfort and encouragement. For example, during a recent trial, my go-to verse was Matthew 6:34: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” I prayed it many times during each day.

Be Flexible and Creative 

Find creative ways to stay connected to His mind and heart. Place sticky notes with Bible verses on your bathroom mirror, refrigerator, or car. Pray during a walk, read a verse while eating lunch or waiting in line, then reflect on how you can apply it to your life. Keep a devotional in your kitchen. Find ways to serve in your church or community, reflecting His love.

Tip: Use moments of downtime to connect with God, even if it’s just for a minute or two. Don’t get discouraged! Remember—we have His Spirit living inside us to teach and guide us to be the women He created us to be and produce fruit that lasts.

Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have. By abiding in Jesus—through time in His Word, prayer, and intentional moments throughout the day—we grow deeper in our connection with Him.

Persevere in trusting Him, even when it’s hard to find the time. Know that God honors every small step we take to remain connected to Him, and He is always there to refresh and sustain us.

---

About the Author: AnnMarie Anderson answered the call to reach busy women with the hope and encouragement of God’s Word in 2017, publishing weekly uplifting blog posts and offering a free Biblical Resource Library. She had been in that busy place of job, home, family, and commitments, with little time or energy to dig into the Bible. You can find her at busyblessedwomen.com