What Falls Under Your Spiritual Category?

It's a new year and with that comes resolutions and goal setting. When Pastor Denny challenged us to consider balance in four areas of our lives (mental, physical, spiritual and relational), I put pen to paper, began reflecting on the past year and decided on changes I'd like to make in the new year. I considered one of his suggestions related to our spiritual lives which was memorizing Scripture.

Having been raised in the church, I have many Bible verses committed to memory. My mom reminded me of the value of memorizing Scripture when I was navigating a difficult time in my young life. 

"Think back to the Bible verses you memorized as a child. The words of Scripture are powerful," she told me.

At that time, my mom was going through her own difficulties, having been recently diagnosed with cancer. She shared how she received comfort and strength by remembering the Words of Truth when she was anxious about an upcoming surgery.

I don't know about you, but when trials close in, I can ruminate about all sorts of things that are not helpful and usually not true. What's worse is, as those lies begin to swirl in my head, I begin believing them, making them truth for me even though they are the furthest thing from the actual truth!

My mom was right. As I struggled through my situation, I began to call up verses I had memorized. The first verse that popped into my head was Psalm 46:10:

"Be still and know that I am God."

My tears were hushed in that moment. God, in His gentle way, told me first and foremost that He was in control, and I could relax knowing He was not surprised by what I was facing. I found that the more I delved into Scripture, the more my thoughts began to align with God's truth, and I received His strength and peace to move ahead on that journey.

Hebrew 4:12 tells us: "The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword . . ."

Scripture is living and active because God is still moving through it today to speak to us no matter what season of life we are in or what situation we may be facing. Memorizing Scripture is vital to me to keep me grounded in the truth. 

A few years ago when I was grieving the death of a loved one, I was introduced to an online tool that has been very helpful for memorizing Scripture. I used www.ScriptureTyper.com to help me remember Bible verses I had already committed to memory and memorize new verses that would speak truth into my situation.

Once a free account is set up, Scripture Typer is a program that helps with memorization not only by engaging the visual area of our sensory memory (reading it over and over) but also the kinesthetic (typing it) and auditory areas of memory (speaking the verse while typing) making memorization easier and more successful. If suggestions for what to memorize are needed, Scripture Typer has verses grouped into many different categories. Categories include "Comfort in Sorrow," "Financial Provision," "Trust," "Faith" etc. So, if fear is something with which you struggle, consider the "Trust" category to find verses that speak to that topic, or look at the "Comfort in Sorrow" category to find verses that give hope.  I've found Scripture healing, comforting, and strengthening when I memorize God's truth related to my current circumstances.

Once memorized, the verses are entered into the review system where prompts are given to review the verse after a designated number of days. The review process is what I like best about Scripture Typer.  As I review each verse, day after day, the truth of God's Word begins to transform me. I am brought back to the foundation of my faith and bathed in His grace. I am reminded again of who God is and of my position as His beloved child.

This year, memorizing scripture falls under the "Spiritual" category on my list of goals and resolutions for 2017.  Will you join me in committing the Words of God to memory?

guest blogger: Marilyn Miller