How do I see God – and how does he see me?
The Bible – God’s Word – has power!
Do not lose sight of these things (God’s Words). Keep them deep within your heart, because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body. Proverbs 4:21-22
A study (by the Center for Bible Engagement 2012) that I recently discovered confirms the power of the Bible. According to this study, engagement with the Bible has a tremendous impact on our lives. Over 100,000 people were surveyed about their spiritual lives. It was found that engaging with the Bible four or more days a week has a profound impact on an individual’s life.
The following negative behaviors decrease in probability by corresponding percentages (some examples):
Excessive alcohol consumption -62%
Sex outside of marriage -59%
Lashing out in anger -31%
Lying -28%
It also leads to more peace and joy in a person’s life. The probability of having to deal with the following problems decreases (some examples):
Feeling bitter -40%
Destructive thoughts about oneself or others -32%
Difficulty forgiving others -31%
Experiencing fears or anxieties -14%
No other spiritual activity could predict spiritual growth the way studying the Bible does. That’s tremendous. I asked myself why the Bible has so much power. Of course – it is the Word of God and it has supernatural power. But I think it also has to do with getting to know God – and when we get to know God, we also get to know ourselves, because we were made in the image of God.
It’s like looking in the mirror and realizing what I look like – in God’s eyes.
When I understand how great, powerful, kind and merciful God is (and so much more) and also understand that God loves me – then that will affect how I see myself. Because I see his view of me and it is so much better than what I see!
But I also see how small I am in contrast to God’s greatness, and that makes me humble. Knowing God and myself changes the assumptions on which I build my life. Then I am more than okay, I am well taken care of in a beautifully created world and I am wanted, loved and accepted. When I understand this with my heart, I walk into the world with a positive self-image and confidence. My self-worth and courage will increase and when I feel fear, I can bring it to God because I know He is always for me – and he is bigger and more powerful than I can imagine.
This does not mean that I go through the world with rose-colored glasses, but that I understand that I belong to a God to whom I am important and who is greater than any of my problems.
As I read the Bible, I discover how my loving God thinks about me – and I will be amazed. His words will rub off on me the more time I spend with God’s Word and his thoughts. A long time ago I wrote a post about the method I use to read the Bible regularly (see post here). Since reading it this way (almost daily since 2016), I enjoy spending time in God’s Word because it comes alive.
And I can confirm the study, because I see the effects in myself. I am more confident, more calm, more courageous and I have more joy in me (my husband nods his head in agreement). I have come to know God and myself as well. Try it out, it is worth it!
