US columnist CAROL ROUND, in an article first published on ASSIST News Service, writes of the importance of spending time in the Word of God…
Grove, Oklahoma, US
Via ASSIST News Service
“God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, the servant of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing” – II Timothy 3:16-17 (NIRV).
PICTURE: Aaron Burden/Unsplash
A commercial many of us are tired of hearing on TV is for a miracle facial product. It’s guaranteed to erase wrinkles and shrink under-eye bags right before your eyes. The product claims to work within 10 minutes to give you a more youthful look. But there’s a catch. It’s only temporary.
One user of the product is a personal trainer in great shape. Feeling her eyes make her look older than she feels, she tried the cream. Now she says her face matches her toned physique, making her look younger than her 61 years.
There’s nothing wrong with taking care of our bodies by eating healthy and exercising. But, as we age, so do our bodies. Wrinkles, under-eye bags, dark spots, and a host of other skin problems can draw us to miracle creams and lotions promising quick fixes to stave off the inevitable.
We won’t live forever – at least in our physical bodies – but there is something we should be focusing on as we draw closer to our eternal home. Reading and studying Scripture is better for our well-being than focusing on our external being. Of course, this is a good idea at any age.
Looking in the mirror and lamenting over our aging reflection does nothing for our spiritual wellness. Nor does the fear of what our future holds.
Scripture, unlike anti-aging products, “is useful for teaching us what is true, useful for correcting our mistakes and for making our lives whole again.” It’s also permanent and doesn’t cost a penny, just time spent in God’s Word.
As we celebrate each birthday, many of us tend to reflect on our past. The could-have, should-have, and would-have thoughts can lead to pessimistic thinking. It’s not healthy.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (ASV).
Spending time each morning in the Bible is a spiritual habit I embraced almost 20 years ago. Whether I’m going through a rough patch in my life, wake up in a bad mood, or worried about the future, reading scripture leads to peace of mind. I gain new strength not found anywhere else.
With the turmoil in our world today, it’s often difficult to remain positive. Thanks to the 24-hour news cycle, we receive constant updates and alerts of shootings, plane crashes, crime, human rights violations, and other incessant negative news that can rob us of our well-being.
In a Huffington Post article about the effect of negative news, British psychologist Dr Graham Davey states, “Negative news can significantly change an individual’s mood – especially if there is a tendency in the news broadcasts to emphasize suffering and also the emotional components of the story. In particular…negative news can affect your own personal worries.”
Christian author and speaker Lisa Terkeurst offers this advice. “When the world beats you down, open up your Bible.”
If you grew up in the church, you may have memorised Scripture as a child. Maybe life happened and you drifted away from your faith. Or maybe you don’t see the relevance of scripture to your life today.
If life is beating you down, I urge you to turn to the best-selling book of all time – the Bible. In its pages, you’ll find truth, advice, encouragement, and guidance to light your way. Your spirit will be recharged and you’ll be ready to face any obstacle on your path.
Scripture is the best solution for well-being at any age. It may not erase wrinkles but you’ll see the world and your life through God’s eyes.
