As a busy breadwinner and mom, how do you put God first amidst the chaos of everyday life?
Have you noticed the days when you feel lost and overwhelmed? Days when God seems distant, or when it feels like people are plotting against you, speaking evil, or even using you for their own ends?
Have you felt the sudden anxiety when an accident happens to your child, or when everything seems to go wrong in a single moment?
And what about the days when you are ridiculed by your boss or colleagues? Don’t those days seem all too familiar?
Maybe those are the days when we forget God.
When morning prayers and devotions are skipped because, as soon as you open your eyes, your mind is already crowded with “have-to-dos.”
Your phone is buzzing with messages from your team that need urgent replies. The clothes you planned to wear need ironing, and you’re still tired from the day before. Dinner hasn’t been cooked yet, and your kids are hungry. The laundry you started this morning is still sitting in the washing machine.
It feels impossible to find time for devotion, journaling, or quiet moments with God. And sometimes, you may even envy those who seem to have the time—the stay-at-home moms, or those who have a calm rhythm in life. In your hurried world, spiritual practices often get pushed to “later.”
You are not alone.
That’s why in this blog post, I want to explore what it really means to put God first, and why it is essential—even amidst busyness. I’ll share practical strategies you can apply today to ensure that your walk with God stays strong, no matter how full your day is.
But first…
What does it Mean to Put God First?
Putting God first means orienting every part of life and work around Him as the highest authority and deepest priority. For Christian providers, this is foundational because their calling is not just professional, but spiritual. God’s will, God’s Word, and God’s character guide decisions, relationships, ethics, and care for others.
Practically, putting God first means loving Him wholeheartedly, rejecting all forms of idolatry (including success, comfort, reputation, or control), and modeling life after Jesus—marked by humility, obedience, prayer, and service. Providers who put God first seek His kingdom above worldly gain, trusting Him to supply what they need as they remain faithful.
This posture shapes how providers serve: they give God their best, not leftovers; they act with integrity even when it’s costly; and they care for others as an expression of love for God. Like the widow who trusted God with her last provision, Christian providers live by faith, believing that obedience brings God’s sustaining grace.
Ultimately, putting God first allows Christian providers to stand apart—not for personal recognition, but because their work flows from devotion to God, love for people, and trust that everything begins and ends with Him.
10 Ways to Put God First as a Busy Mom & Breadwinner
- Start Small with One Breath Prayer. Even 30 seconds can count. Before getting out of bed, silently say: “Lord, guide me today” or “Thank You for Your strength.” Small intentional moments matter more than long devotionals skipped entirely.
- Use the “God Alarm” on Your Phone. Set a short 5-minute reminder with a Scripture or worship song. Even a brief pause to read one verse can re-center your day.
- Turn Mundane Tasks into Prayer Time. While ironing, washing clothes, or cooking, speak a short prayer aloud or silently: “Lord, bless this work for Your glory.” Your daily chores become acts of worship.
- Keep a Pocket Devotional. A small journal or app in your bag or pocket can be read anywhere: on the commute, waiting for kids, or during coffee breaks. One verse, one thought, one prayer can reset your focus.
- Pray Through Your To-Do List. Before checking messages or planning tasks, ask: “Lord, help me prioritize what truly matters today.” Invite God into decision-making rather than squeezing Him in after tasks.
- Anchor Prayer to a Routine. Connect prayer with a daily habit: brushing teeth, making coffee, or opening your laptop. Habits are easier to stick with than adding new “extra” tasks.
- Practice Gratitude First Thing. Before worrying about the day, thank God for 3 things you can see or feel right now. Gratitude trains your heart to see God’s presence in chaos.
- Delegate or Simplify Tasks. Let others help with chores or work tasks when possible. Freeing 10–15 minutes in your day for prayer and reflection is a spiritual investment, not a luxury.
- Use Audio Devotionals or Worship. Play Scripture readings or Christian podcasts while cooking, commuting, or folding laundry. Your mind receives God’s Word even when your hands are busy.
- End Your Day with a “God Check-In”. Before bed, quickly reflect: “Where did I see God today? Where did I need Him?”. fIt closes the loop of your day and trains your heart to seek God in the small moments.
Where in the Bible does it Say Put God First?
I will tailor my answer specifically for us, Christian women who provides for the family. Here are the verses we can meditate on:
1. Matthew 6:33 – Even when your day is full of tasks, start with God in prayer and trust He will guide your priorities and provide for your needs.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
2. Proverbs 3:6 – Every decision at work, home, or ministry can be surrendered to God. Ask Him for guidance before responding to emails, meetings, or family needs.
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
3. Proverbs 16:3 – Before starting the day, hand your tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities to God. He can guide you through chaos and uncertainty.
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
4. Psalm 37:5 – Trust God with finances, career moves, and family decisions. Even when life feels overwhelming, committing the day to Him gives peace.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”
5. Luke 12:31 – When stress over bills, meetings, or errands hits, prioritize God first, and He will provide strength, guidance, and provision.
“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”
6. Psalm 90:17 – Pray over your job tasks, business, or household chores, asking God to bless the work of your hands.
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”
7. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – Accept that your days are full, but God is in control of timing. Seek Him first, and your priorities will align.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
8. Philippians 4:6-7 Actively bring your concerns to God, not silently or passively, but with intentional communication.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.”
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Having spontaneous prayers or a short, heartfelt petitions like “Lord, help me in this task” or “Keep me from sin”. Using prayer as the first response to fear, anxiety, or challenges, rather than relying solely on personal strength.
“Pray without ceasing.”
10. Isaiah 40:31 – For busy days filled with work, parenting, and chores, God gives the endurance you need.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Bible Characters Who Put God First
Let me give you the women characters that will serve as our inspiration as Christian providers.
1. Ruth – models sacrificial service and faith-driven work. She puts God first while actively providing for others.
2. Hannah – teaches that seeking God first and committing your resources to Him can bring lasting impact, both spiritually and practically.
3. Mary, Mother of Jesus – shows that prioritizing God above personal comfort allows one to participate in His greater plan. Her life exemplifies spiritual provision—bringing Christ, the ultimate provider, into the world.
4. Deborah – demonstrates that putting God first can empower women to lead, provide guidance, and protect their communities with courage and wisdom.
5. Lydia – models how Christian women can provide for others materially and spiritually, creating spaces where God’s work can flourish.
6. Esther – is a model of strategic service and sacrificial leadership, showing how putting God first can enable you to protect and provide for many.
7. Priscilla – Priscilla reminds us that serving God often includes teaching, guiding, and equipping others, which is a form of spiritual provision.
8. Mary of Bethany – she reminds us that service without spiritual grounding can become stressful, whereas prioritizing God aligns our hearts with His purpose.
What Happens when you put God First?
- Your work aligns with God’s purpose. Your efforts have eternal significance, not just temporary results.
- You will receive divine guidance. Clarity and direction come, even in complex situations, so you doesn’t feel lost or overwhelmed.
- Your provision becomes generous and purposeful. Resources are managed wisely and shared generously, multiplying impact.
- Peace and joy replace anxiety. You will experience peace while fulfilling responsibilities, knowing God is ultimately in control.
- You will set a spiritual example. Their life inspires others to also prioritize God in their own work and daily living.
- Your ministry or work thrives spiritually and practically. Their work becomes sustainable, fruitful, and deeply meaningful.
I hope that the knowledge and tips you learned in this blog post prompted you to take action and experience once again the presence of God that is at work in your life.
I pray that from now on, as you do the steps outlined here, you will not feel overwhelmed and anxious once again. I hope you feel His guidance and protection ever more than when you are not putting Him first.
If it does, write down your prayer or your thoughts in the comments.