1. External difficulties - noise, weather, interruptions, dyslexia, sickness, anxiety, even lack of books. Give yourself to God anyway and make the best of your situation.
2. Work, play and other activities - We all need to work, play, attend meetings, eat, sleep, and socialize, none of which are compatible with lectio divina. Review your priorities and schedule in some lectio.
3. Good habits lost in time of change - Over the last 25 years or so, there has been a big change in societal values, among other things. In this time of change, many people have lost time to progress in good habits such as lectio divina. Most of us would have had certain foundations laid at a younger age; now we must seek them in our old age.
4. Overexposure to words - There is so much talk, so much paper, in society. Even the Church is at risk of this in the Liturgy. Too many words can obscure meaning from many of us. To withdraw from "wordiness" is seen as a "mature" and "spiritual" faith--a faith of silence. Lectio divina is not "wordiness", but it is neither silence! Lectio divina is cutting through to perceive the real meaning of the words, not getting lost in them, and finding God there--the same God in silence.
5. Lack of training - When a person reaches a roadblock in lectio divina, he often chooses to give up. This is mostly because he does not know where to turn next.
6. Boredom - Dissatisfaction with results of lectio divina, due to lack of training, often results in boredom with Scriptures. Boredom can also come when one is eager to finish lectio so they can get on with something else "more important".
7. Negligence - Some difficulty in lectio divina is caused by our own laziness. Laziness, acedia, and fantasy all lead to negligence.
8. Duty - We can be consistent in lectio divina, but let the words just pass us by. This happens when lectio divina becomes routine. We must let the words of Scripture penetrate our hearts and minds, affect our consciences, lead us deeper into being. Your sense of duty is good, but let it lead you deeper into God.
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