Kindly, Kayla 🌼

Y’all, when I saw the statistics on this graphic, I was in awe. I saved the graphic to my photos so that I could be reminded of just how important reading the Bible is. But let me be real. Over the last few weeks, I have been really struggling with opening my Bible. I’ll have the Bible sitting in my bed next to me, ready and well-prepped for me to open it the following morning. Instead, I wake up and decide to check my phone instead. A bad habit that I thought I killed ages ago.

As the days went on, I kept thinking about that graphic and how the statistics started to represent how I was feeling. I noticed anger, loneliness, and spiritual stagnation. I would pick up my Bible here and there, have my study time in the morning, but not touch it again for the rest of the day. Maybe a verse or two at night, but then I decide to watch a series of YouTube videos that leave my brain feeling jumbled and restless.

This morning, I decided that enough was enough, so I put my devices away in a drawer and opened my Bible. I have been reading through the Old Testament, and guys, hear me. The Bible is so interesting! It’s so compelling. Once you pick it up and actually just read it, you won’t want to stop! I was reading about the story of Samson in the book of Judges, and I could not get enough. My goal was to just read one chapter, but I ended up reading 4 because it was just that good. It’s almost like watching a movie or a soap opera lol. I feel like the hardest part about reading the Bible is just opening it.

I thought about the graphic again, got curious about the statistics, and decided to check them out for myself. According to a study done by The Center of Bible Engagement by Arnold Cole, Ed.D. & Pamela Caudill Ovwigho, Ph.D., these findings were found by polling 40,000 people ages 8 to 80:

1. Feeling lonely drops 30%
2. Anger issues drop 32%
3. Bitterness in relationships drops 40%
4. Alcoholism drops 57%
5. Sex outside of marriage drops 68%
6. Feeling spiritually stagnant drops 60%
7. Viewing pornography drops 61%
8. Sharing your faith jumps 200%
9. Discipling others jumps 230%

But here’s the kicker. They surveyed the differences between reading the Bible once a week (which could include your pastor telling you to turn to a passage) or even twice a week. This showed little to NO effect in the people’s lives. There was a small increase in reading your Bible three times a week. But y’all, when Bible engagement happened 4 times a week- that’s where they saw these miraculous results!! There is a MAJOR difference in the lives of people who read their Bibles at least 4 times a week versus the people who don’t, and it makes so much sense! Yes, I was reading my Bible weekly, but there would be days in between when I would miss, and those feelings of anger and loneliness would creep back in. That’s why it is so vital that we be in the Word daily. We need it. We don’t eat actual food once a week, so why do we think that we could only have the Bread of Life once a week? (Or even once a day, it’s that serious, y’all).

Not only that, but it’s also how we meet with God and know Him. How can we say that we love God when we don’t know Him? God has given us this precious gift, His Word, and I take it for granted. I’m not saying this to make you feel bad, because clearly I’m in the same boat lol, but I’m saying this to maybe compel you to meet with Him! He’s not going to force you to meet with Him, He’s a gentleman. I often see people saying that they can’t hear God’s voice, myself included, but we literally have His words at our fingertips.

The Bible also literally says we should be reading, meditating on, and studying the Word:

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1-3 NLT

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4 NKJV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Let’s also consider Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” My Bible has a note on this scripture that says this:

As you read God’s Word, He will point out behaviors and attitudes and practices that don’t match up with His desire for your life. His Word will also teach you, instruct you, and encourage you to do what is right. Pick up your Bible each day, and watch God work in you through His Word. He will teach you the way to go. Martin Luther said, “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” God’s Word will help you move forward. And when you fall or fail, it will pick you up, brush you off, set you on your feet, and send you forward.

-A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible, NKJV

Something else hit me when I was thinking about Bible reading/studying this week. It doesn’t have to be this aesthetic moment, where we have the perfect highlighters, a perfect spread, perfect notes, making it picture-perfect to share online. Having these expectations can add pressure, making you NOT feel like doing it. You don’t need to have this pretty journal with handwriting that looks amazing for perfect notes. Just get in the Word, with any Bible you have. All you need is a Bible, a prayer for understanding, and maybe a highlighter or pen. Just get into it and see how your life will change.

I have this mug sitting on my desk, and it says exactly what this blog post is titled. I sit it here as a reminder. A command. To read the Bible DAILY, because Lord knows I need it to survive.

Research found on Lifeway Research, check it out here: https://research.lifeway.com/2021/01/20/9-tangible-benefits-of-bible-reading-for-your-church/