Many people make use of daily scripture readings and meditations to reduce anxiety and alleviate stress. Author Allan Cohen once wrote, "If you want to find God, hang out in the space between your thoughts." This poignant statement alludes to the fact that the only time and place when we can truly appreciate and understand a scripture reading is during quiet meditation.
Benefits of Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations
Taking time to relax and reflect can naturally alleviate stress, but there are many other benefits to using daily scripture readings and meditations to promote a sense of wellbeing. Some research studies support the approach, and the process has both physical and psychological impact.
Health Benefits of Scripture and Meditation
The physical and psychological benefits of meditation are revealed in a number of scientific studies. In 2001, a ScienceDaily article reported that a study conducted by researchers at West Virginia University found that 35 participants of meditation training experienced about 54 percent less psychological distress.
A 2007 ScienceDaily article reported on research by a Penn State neuroscientist that found meditation enhanced the mind's ability to focus and to accomplish tasks more efficiently.
These findings are counterintuitive since most people who are under stress try to work harder. Inevitably they become burned out and sometimes sick from that tension. Paradoxically, research indicates that in order to accomplish more you must slow down. Only 30 minutes of meditation a day improves your focus and helps you to accomplish more throughout the day.
Psychological Benefits of Scripture
Meditation is enhanced by a reading of scripture, because it provides a concept for your mind to focus on. As you meditate, you gently pull your mind back to the scriptural reading at hand and its value in your life, rather than the stress and worry that normally plague your thoughts.The inspiration of scripture combined with increased mental focus both serve to elevate your physical and emotional well-being over time. The benefits of this quickly become apparent as you enjoy increased happiness, well-being, and joy throughout your day.
How to Find Scripture Passages
While the bible is the most obvious place to search for inspirational scripture, sometimes one isn't immediately available. There are a number of convenient places online where you can find readings. Once you find one that is relevant to issues going on in your life, print them and take them to a quiet room or any place of solitude. Carefully read the passage, and then meditate for thirty minutes on those ideas and concepts.
Where to Look for Scripture
A number of websites provide daily inspirational scripture quotes which you can use to meditate on every day. Some examples include:
To find quotes that are more focused on pressing needs, you can uncover thousands of bible quotes simply by using a search engine and typing "bible quotes stress" or "bible quote" followed by any topic that is bothering you. For example if you are having difficulty with finances, search for "bible quote finances" and hundreds of websites will present bible quotes focused on the topic of finances.
Another great source of inspirational readings are pastoral blogs written by ministers and priests who present their interpretations of scripture. Some examples include:
Sample Daily Quotes
While the bible is full of motivational and enlightening passages, there are a few passages that are famous for helping to alleviate worry and remove stress.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." --Matthew 6:34
This passage explains the simple concept that you can only control what is going on at this moment, so worrying about what will happen tomorrow is a fruitless waste of energy.
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" --Psalm 27:1
"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." --Psalm 18:2
The Psalms are famous for offering encouraging passages that remind you that true faith means that there is never really anything in life that should be feared.
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." --Isaiah 40:31
Even the Old Testament offers readings that help to remind the faithful why there is no need to worry. One of the most famous bible quotes that provides inspiration to many is Matthew 25, where Jesus explains why even animals worry less than people do:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" --Matthew 25-27
Daily Morning Reading
Daily scripture readings and meditations offer inspiration as well as powerful physical and mental benefits. Meditating on scriptural readings will remove fear, anxiety and worry from your life.
