One of the unexpected joys of the internet is the opportunity for online Bible study. Some of us live outside of town, have 5 little soccer players who each have their own team because I guess it wouldn’t be right to have a six year old playing against a fourteen year old. Some of us are introverts (Hi There) and yet God plopped us in the middle of bustling house full of children and by the end of the day, the thought of more conversation makes us want to curl up in our closet. And sometimes, it’s just that kind of season in life, where you want some community, but on your own terms. An online Bible study is perfect for that season.
Did you know I’m taking part in a 31 Days writing Group? I am and I picked reading and writing about the book of Sirach; my own personal online Bible study…shared with you.
Maybe around five years ago when I was really struggling with my mind, I came across this verse found in Sirach 30:21-23
And I realized the truth in it…I was part of my problem. There were some extenuating circumstances that needed to be addressed and resolved, but the thoughts I allowed to roll around in my mind were keeping me hostage to anxiety, depression and fear as well.
I started searching for tips, tricks and tools to help me get out of this rut of destructive and negative thinking. The Bible
I found “Scriptures about Depression.” Or, “Depression Scriptures,” but nothing that addressed the problem biblically and then taught me to use those scriptures to fight the bad thinking habits I had become accustomed to. And no, I am not saying or even implying depression is just a bad thinking habit. I’m telling you, that what I was struggling with at the time: anxiety, fear and some depression was being fed…and boy howdy did I feed it good…it was being fed by my bad thinking habits.
I would feel bad, so I would consider how bad I felt. And I’d think about how bad I had felt the day before and how bad I was probably going to feel tomorrow. I would read the scriptures of the broken hearted, the lost, forsaken and desperate. But after coming across this verse, I started searching out verses about “Delight,” “Gladness,” and “Rejoicing.” I had my own little online Bible study, just me and my computer.
I would love to say it was easy to just sit down, read happy Bible verses and then feel happy. It was not easy. But it was simple. All I needed to do was make time with God reading His Word. The more time I spent with God in His Word, I noticed some of those old thinking habits changing. Slowly…slowly and every so often they would and still do, rear their ugly head. But I have the solution–time with God in the Bible…the tools, to combat my old thinking habits and it began by looking for an online Bible study.
The citation in the picture is incorrect. I’m not sure what translation you used, but 30:21-23 in NAB:
“Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding.
Gladness of the heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days.
Distract yourself, renew courage, drive resentment far away from you;
For worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment.”
Goodness thanks so much for catching that! It’s been corrected.
I love that online Bible study is ALWAYS available!
Best part, though? New Friends.
Waving to you!
It is a good thing to renew our minds with God’s word!
It’s a necessary for me or I slip back into negative thoughts.
I love online bible studies. Such a blessing.
I like that I can come and go from them and do them in my pajama’s if I have to/get to.
Thank you my dear friend for a much needed and wonderful post! Something I can focus on this month along with you. I need to pick up the Word more than once a day.
LOVE the pic and saying…it’s going on my desktop computer ; )
I was preaching loud to myself girl.