How to Put God First: 7 Practical Ways to Make Faith Your Priority

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Learning how to put God first often feels like trying to navigate through a maze of competing priorities and endless distractions. Like a compass needle that constantly wants to point north, our hearts naturally seek alignment with our Creator, yet the magnetic pull of daily life can throw us off course. I’ve been there too, struggling to keep God at the center while juggling work deadlines, family obligations, and personal goals.

The journey of putting God first touches every aspect of our lives – from how we start our mornings and manage our resources, to the way we build relationships and make decisions. This guide explores practical ways to transform your daily routines, reshape your priorities, guard your heart against worldly influences, and live with an eternal perspective that keeps God at the center of everything.

Think of putting God first like tending a garden – it requires daily attention, careful planning, and regular maintenance to flourish. Sometimes we need to pull out weeds of distraction, other times we must plant new seeds of faith, but always we’re cultivating a life that grows toward heaven. Through these seven practical approaches, you’ll discover how to move beyond good intentions to creating lasting habits that keep God as your true north.

1. Start Your Day with God

I remember the morning I first realized how backwards my priorities had become. There I was, phone in hand, responding to work emails at 5:30 AM while my Bible sat unopened on my nightstand, collecting dust. That moment hit me hard – I was giving my best hours to everyone except God. Sound familiar?

Starting your day with God isn’t just about checking off a spiritual to-do list; it’s about setting the tone for your entire day. Think of it like tuning an instrument before a concert – without that crucial first step, everything that follows will be slightly off-key. As King David wrote, “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3).

The beautiful thing about morning devotions is that they look different for everyone. For me, it starts with a simple prayer before my feet hit the floor: “Lord, this day is yours.” Then, I head to my favorite armchair (coffee in hand, let’s be real!) for 20 minutes of Bible reading and prayer. Some mornings, I dive deep into scripture study; other mornings, I simply sit in God’s presence, listening.

Here’s what I’ve learned works best:

– Keep your phone on “Do Not Disturb” until after your quiet time

– Have a dedicated space where you meet with God

– Start small – even 10 minutes can be transformative

– Use a Bible reading plan to stay focused

Jesus himself modeled this priority: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). If the Son of God needed this time with the Father, how much more do we?

2. Realign Your Schedule

Have you ever looked at your calendar and wondered, “How did it get this full?” A few years ago, I found myself running from commitment to commitment, constantly exhausted, until a wise mentor asked me a simple question: “Does your schedule reflect your stated priorities?”

The truth is, our calendars are spiritual documents – they reveal what we truly value, not just what we say we value. Jesus taught us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), but often our schedules tell a different story. Realigning your schedule isn’t about adding more religious activities; it’s about intentionally creating space for what matters most.

Start by doing a “time audit.” For one week, track how you spend every hour. You might be surprised to find that you spend three hours daily on social media but can’t find 15 minutes for prayer. Next, evaluate each commitment through the lens of Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Here’s a practical approach to realignment:

– List all your current commitments

– Pray over each one, asking God for wisdom

– Identify what needs to go (even good things!)

– Block out specific times for spiritual growth

– Learn to say “no” with grace

Remember Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Time is a gift from God, and how we use it matters.

3. Transform Your Decision-Making

Picture standing at a crossroads, important decision looming before you. We’ve all been there – weighing options, seeking advice, and hoping we make the right choice. But here’s the game-changer I’ve learned: true transformation happens when we shift from asking “What should I do?” to “What would God have me do?”

Proverbs 3:5-6 provides our foundation: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Notice it doesn’t say “in some ways” or “in the big decisions” – it says “in all your ways.”

I learned this lesson the hard way when I almost accepted a dream job offer without praying about it first. The salary was great, the position prestigious, but something felt off. When I finally paused to seek God’s guidance, He revealed that this role would have pulled me away from the ministry He had called me to. Sometimes the most spiritual decision is saying no to something that looks good on paper.

Here’s how to transform your decision-making process:

– Start with scripture as your foundation

– Develop the habit of quick prayer responses (“arrow prayers”)

– Create a personal decision-making framework based on biblical principles

– Seek godly counsel from mature believers

– Learn to recognize God’s voice through regular communion with Him

James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” This isn’t about getting a supernatural email with detailed instructions; it’s about developing spiritual sensitivity through consistent communion with God.

Remember, transforming your decision-making isn’t about never making mistakes – it’s about consistently bringing God into the process, whether you’re choosing what to eat for lunch or making life-altering decisions. As you practice this, you’ll find yourself naturally turning to God first, rather than as a last resort.

4. Steward Your Resources

Last month, I sat at my kitchen table surrounded by bills, receipts, and a budgeting app that seemed to mock my spending habits. Have you ever had that sinking feeling when you realize your resources might not align with God’s purposes? Here’s the truth: how we handle our money, time, and talents speaks volumes about what we truly value.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). This isn’t just about money – it’s about everything God has entrusted to us. Think of yourself as a manager of God’s resources rather than an owner. It’s like being given the keys to someone else’s house – you have access to everything, but there’s a responsibility to care for it according to the owner’s wishes.

I learned this lesson dramatically when I started tithing consistently. At first, giving 10% seemed impossible with my tight budget. But as I stepped out in faith, something shifted in my heart. Malachi 3:10 came alive: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven.”

Here’s what faithful stewardship looks like:

– Creating a God-honoring budget

– Using your talents to serve others

– Managing time as a precious gift

– Being generous with what God provides

– Investing in eternal returns

Remember the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)? God doesn’t expect us all to have the same resources, but He does expect us to be faithful with what we have.

5. Reshape Your Relationships

“I want to put God first, but my partner isn’t on the same page.” I hear this struggle often, and I’ve lived it too. Our relationships powerfully shape our spiritual journey, yet sometimes they can feel like tug-of-war matches between earthly and heavenly priorities.

The Bible is clear: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). But what does this mean practically in our daily relationships? It’s about more than just who we date or marry – it’s about allowing God to reshape all our relationships according to His design.

This hit home for me when I had to have a difficult conversation with a close friend about our Friday night routine. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with movie nights and catching up, our conversations had devolved into gossip sessions that left us both feeling spiritually drained. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” I had to ask myself: were my relationships sharpening or dulling my spiritual edge?

Here’s how to pursue God-centered relationships:

– Evaluate your closest friendships’ spiritual impact

– Invest in fellowship with other believers

– Practice vulnerability in safe spiritual communities

– Set healthy boundaries with love

– Include God in your family routines

Remember, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20).

6. Guard Your Heart and Mind

Ping! Another notification lights up your phone. A juicy piece of celebrity gossip, a provocative image, or maybe just an endless stream of social media updates. In our hyper-connected world, guarding your heart and mind can feel like trying to keep a clean house in a sandstorm.

Solomon’s wisdom rings especially true today: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Think of your heart and mind like a garden – what you allow to take root will eventually bear fruit, whether good or bad.

I remember the day I realized my anxiety levels peaked after scrolling through news and social media. While staying informed isn’t wrong, I was consuming mental junk food instead of spiritual nourishment. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8 became my filter: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Practical steps for guarding your heart and mind:

– Audit your media consumption

– Create “no-phone zones” in your day

– Choose entertainment wisely

– Practice thought captivity (2 Corinthians 10:5)

– Fill your mind with scripture and worship

7. Live with Eternal Perspective

Imagine you’re building a house knowing it’s temporary – you’ll move to your real home in a few months. Would you spend all your resources perfecting this temporary dwelling? Yet often, we pour ourselves into temporal pursuits while neglecting eternal investments.

Paul captured this eternal mindset perfectly: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Living with eternal perspective doesn’t mean withdrawing from the world; it means engaging with it through heaven’s lens.

This truth transformed my career approach. Instead of chasing promotions solely for status or salary, I started asking, “How can this position advance God’s kingdom?” It changed everything – from how I treated colleagues to how I handled workplace stress. Colossians 3:23-24 became my workplace motto: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Practical ways to maintain eternal perspective:

– Regular self-evaluation of priorities

– Kingdom-focused goal setting

– Legacy planning beyond material wealth

– Investing in discipleship

– Keeping heaven in view

Remember Jesus’s words: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20).

Conclusion:

The journey of putting God first isn’t about achieving perfection – it’s about progress and persistence in pursuing a God-centered life. These seven approaches provide practical stepping stones, but remember that this is a personal journey between you and God. Start where you are, implement changes gradually, and be patient with yourself as you develop new habits. As you consistently choose to put God first, you’ll find that everything else naturally falls into its proper place. Your priorities will shift, your perspective will broaden, and you’ll discover the deep peace that comes from living in alignment with your Creator’s purpose for your life.