How The Jesus Challenge Helps You Abide In Christ When You’re Too Overwhelmed to Start
Key Points – Learning to Abide With the Virtual Jesus Challenge
Here’s a quick overview of what we’ll cover in this blog. 👇
-
Jesus tells us in John 15:5 that if we don’t abide in Him, we can do NOTHING.
-
Abiding means you stay plugged into the Source of life all day long.
-
Abiding looks like staying aware of God’s presence with you throughout the day.
-
Jesus invites you to trade in your burnout and stress for His peace, joy, and strength.
-
The Jesus virtual challenge makes abiding realistic and manageable for exhausted, overwhelmed parents.
-
The way you live your life teaches your kids more than your words ever will. They watch you prioritize what’s most important.
I Want To Abide… but I’m Exhausted
Between peanut butter smeared on the walls, Mount Laundry, and a constant swirl of decisions, who has time to sit quietly with a Bible and a latte in a sun-drenched corner? 🥵
Seriously though. How are busy parents supposed to walk closely with Jesus all day long when they can’t even hear their own thoughts over toddler shrieks? It sounds like an impossible task!
This season of life can feel like you’re tightly strapped into a moving treadmill that keeps gaining speed. You feel foggy, mentally overloaded, and not at ALL like that peaceful, steady, Spirit-led parent you picture in your mind. 😔
If that’s you, I see you, and you’re not alone! But the solution isn’t perfecting your morning routine, or finally getting the house quiet, or adding a few more tasks to your list. You and I need a ridiculously EASY and practical way to abide with Jesus that naturally fits into our busy, emotionally draining lives, and doesn’t add to the overwhelm.
🎉 That’s exactly why I started the Jesus virtual challenge!
As a fellow parent who desperately needs God every day, let me encourage you that intimacy with God is NOT out of reach – even in this season of barely staying on the treadmill. You don’t even have to sit down in a quiet corner or have a perfect routine to abide well. The virtual Jesus challenge will teach you how to make abiding a natural, manageable rhythm of your daily life.
Let’s unpack what abiding actually means and how my Christian virtual walking challenge helps you put it into practice when your last brain cell has left the station. 👇
What Does the Bible Say About Abiding?
In John 15:5, Jesus tells His disciples, “Abide in Me, and I in you, and you will bear much fruit. But apart from Me you can do nothing.”
We all want that fruit, right? 😍
-
A gentle, controlled response when someone hurts us.
-
Wisdom in the middle of split-second decisions.
-
Boldness to love someone who seems unlovable (maybe even ourselves).
-
Profound joy in the hardest of circumstances.
-
Peace when it makes no sense.
Well, Jesus gave us a pretty clear recipe for that fruit! The fruit grows from - you guessed it! - abiding. (Don’t worry, we’ll dig into the specifics of what that means here in a second.)
What Happens When You Don’t Abide?
Jesus does not say,
“Apart from Me, you’ll have a mediocre day.”
“Apart from Me, you might feel a little grumpy.”
He says, NOTHING. Like nothing-nothing. 🙅
Trying to parent,
make decisions,
love your spouse,
show up to work,
keep your cool,
work through conflict,
you name it.
Trying to do all these things WITHOUT staying connected to Jesus is like hopping on a long FaceTime call when your phone’s at 2%. 😱 Sure, it’ll “work” for 12 seconds. But in those very short 12 seconds, you will be stressed out, panicky, and rushing to cram everything in.
Sound familiar? 🫠
What Does It Mean To Abide?
It means that every moment of your day – whether you’re chopping veggies or crying in the car – is plugged into the Source of life. It means you recognize and stay aware of His presence ALLLLL throughout the day.
If you look back at this previous Jesus challenge blog post, I described abiding as a toddler who goes to play, but always runs back to mom to check in and reassure his sense of identity and security. When we abide, we are like that toddler: constantly aware of God and in touch with the Holy Spirit. 🤲
Why Is It Important To Abide in Christ?
If you’re like most parents, your brain has tabs open everywhere. The fridge needs restocking, those clothes need to be returned, and someone’s always yelling, “MOM!” When you finally sit down for five seconds, you realize how dang exhausted you really are.
And very quickly, there comes the mental spiral:
🫣 “Why am I so short with everyone lately?”
🫣 “Why do I feel like I’m NEVER enough?”
🫣 “Why can’t I be better?”
Those shame-infested questions are why abiding is such a big deal!
Remember what Jesus said (and didn’t say)?
He did NOT say, “Try harder and prove yourself.”
He did say, “Abide in Me…for apart from Me, you can do nothing.”
Nothing. 🙅🏻
When you don’t abide, you live like ALL of life depends solely on YOU. This is what you see showing up everywhere, leading to exhaustion, stress, and shame:
-
Snapping at your kids when they ask for one more snack
-
Crying yourself to sleep because you feel like a failure
-
Feeling distant and unknown by your spouse, friends, and God
-
Wondering why you can’t find joy in anything lately
Oh friend, you were never created to carry that kind of responsibility. It will burn you out.
But when you abide and actually walk with Jesus every day, you and your entire family feel that shift to peace, God’s presence, and dependence on the One who CAN carry it all.
⚡ Abiding is such a big deal in the Christian walk (especially for parents!) because it connects you to the only One who can truly sustain you.
Practical Ways To Abide in Christ
In real life, abiding in Christ can look something like this:
🧼 Washing dishes and remembering He’s with you by that sink.
💬 Talking to Him throughout the day in your head or under your breath.
🤲 Asking for His wisdom before making a decision.
💭 Letting His thoughts shape your thoughts.
🤭 Enjoying a funny moment just with Him.
If you think about it, abiding looks exactly like a relationship with a close, trusted friend who never leaves your side. Check out this Jesus challenge blog for more practical ways to speak to God like a friend and abide with Him.
Is Abiding Realistic For A Busy Parent??
I know, I know – you’re not just wandering through flower fields, carefree, plenty of time to kill, your mind totally unencumbered with any concerns. That’s just not reality. 😅
Those grocery runs are military missions – carts whipping around corners, hair everywhere, phone on speaker.
So sure, abiding might sound totally unachievable in your season of life. But as a mom and Christ-follower like you, I’m here to tell you: IT IS POSSIBLE! 🤩
Thousands of maxed-out people just like you have completed my Christian virtual walking challenge and discovered a sustainable, natural lifestyle of rich fellowship with Jesus!
And guess what: they DO get to enjoy all the incredible riches of abiding in Christ! Your busyness or season of life does not exclude you from His promise.
Check out some of these riches below. 👇
What Are the Benefits of Abiding?
“Abiding” might just sound like a trendy Christian buzzword, it’s really the catalyst for the relief you crave.
Here’s what you can expect to experience when you abide in Christ:
-
Mental and spiritual clarity
-
Deep, unshakeable joy
-
Soul-deep rest even when you’re busy
-
Peace in hard circumstances
-
A fresh, passionate love for Jesus and His Word
-
Patience with your kids
-
Intimacy and friendship with God
-
Deep understanding of God’s purpose for you
-
Fruit of the Spirit (jackpot!)
-
Emotional transformation into the version of YOU God created you to be.
The Jesus Challenge Makes Abiding Simple and Realistic
I need habits that are easy, straightforward, and don't logjam my schedule. And that’s exactly why my Christian virtual walking challenge exists. So yes, you CAN enjoy God’s presence, even as your internal treadmill keeps picking up speed. God wants to meet you and walk with you in your real, unfiltered life.
What’s Included in the Jesus Challenge?
-
40 days of short Scripture readings. 📖 Designed to take the work of deciding where to start OFF of you.
-
1-mile daily walk or run.🚶 Physically leave your house and prioritize your physical and spiritual health.
-
Optional daily challenges. 🎯 Take your Scripture reading and apply it to your real life.
-
Private Facebook group. 👥 Join a judgment-free zone of other parents just like you, learning how to abide and walk with Jesus.
Why the Jesus Challenge Is Perfect for Busy Parents
✅ It's flexible. Just 15–30 minutes a day. You can even do it before the house wakes up or after they go to sleep.
✅ Miss a day? No problem. Life happens! Just pick back up where you left off. The goal is the journey, not a perfect score.
✅ ANYONE can do it. Moms, dads, empty nesters, small groups, teens, anyone you can think of. No fancy gear required. If you can’t walk, substitute with 20 minutes of a cardio activity of your choice.
FAQ – Common Questions About the Jesus Challenge
Q: What if I’m not in shape? 😮💨
A: Then you’re in the perfect spot to start! If you have shoes, you can do it. You can stroll, sprint, or shuffle. And the great news is, once you’ve done that for 40 days, suddenly you’ll feel more in control of your body, less out of breath, and looser in your clothes!
Q: Can I do the Jesus virtual challenge with friends or family? 👪
A: Absolutely! Many participants walk with a spouse, friends, or their children. You’re welcome to invite anyone to join you! If you end up doing the virtual Jesus challenge "by yourself," you’re still not alone – our Facebook group is full of fellow walkers and Jesus-followers cheering you on.
Q: What if my life is too busy? ⏳
A:Then this is especially for you! I created this Christian virtual walking challenge for people who struggle to prioritize Jesus. And if you don’t have 20 minutes a day, then you need this Christian walking challenge more than ever. I’ve been there too, and this stressed-out life is not what God intends for you!
Sign up for the Jesus Challenge Today
Friend, you don’t need to wait for life to calm down before you spend time in the presence of God. That will never happen. 🤷🏻
He’s inviting you NOW. And the transformation He invites you into is EXACTLY the relief, the hope, and the freedom you so desperately crave. No matter how exhausted or overwhelmed you feel, you can access that relief right now with the virtual Jesus challenge. 🥹
So come and rest in His presence. Jesus is waiting for you!
CTA Button: Sign up for the Next Jesus Challenge