SCRIPTURE FOR A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

A 5-Step Process for Drawing Strength from Scripture

Life can be a bit of a roller coaster at times. There may be seasons of stability – times when everything seems to be running smoothly – but, those seasons are always interrupted by the natural bend of life toward chaos and disruption. There’s nothing like a global pandemic to teach us the value of God’s Word. Here’s a 31-day Scripture reading plan specifically for these months that you never want to repeat again!

Scripture

 

Jesus in the Hard Times

There is a place you can go when life gets chaotic. God’s Word provides a hiding place – a shelter – a strength from within for those moments.

 

When Jesus was experiencing temptation, he went to God’s Word. When he was under attack from the religious elite, he went to God’s Word. When he was down and afraid, he went to God’s Word.

 

Jesus said, “everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Jesus drew strength from the voice of the Father and he passed that strength on to his disciples.

 

A 5-Step Process

I want to describe the five-step method I use to draw strength in this 31-day exercise. This may not work for you. If it does – great! If it doesn’t – don’t feel bad. It doesn’t mean that you are less spiritual. It simply means that you are wired differently and need a different approach.

 

The main thing is to use the Scriptures in a way that works best for you.

 

NOTE: I have a notebook I use just for Scripture writing. It’s a great way to reinforce this 5-step process.

1. Write the Scripture out.

There have been numerous research studies done on the power and effectiveness of writing things down by hand (the old fashioned way). I use my computer for 95% of my writing – but, this is one place where it is important for me to use my hands.

 

2. Draw or scribble.

I use art (loosely speaking!) to get a mental image of what the Scripture text is doing inside of me. I scribble or doodle or draw certain things that come to mind as I meditate on the Scripture text.

 

3. Pray the Scripture text.

I use the words of the Scripture text to talk to God about it. Sometimes I simply affirm what God has said and thank him for saying it to me. It’s a powerful way to allow God to shower you with His words.

 

4. Write down things that come to mind.

This is not for the purpose of in-depth study, Bible teaching, or theological insights. It’s simply a few words – sometimes just one word – that the Holy Spirit gives me while I’m meditating on the Scripture text.

 

If I fill the entire page with my thoughts I know I’m overthinking it and have gone from simple meditation on Jesus to writing a sermon (always a temptation for me).

 

5. Put it away and come back to it later.

This is a great step because it gives you a fresh look at what God was doing in your heart earlier. Come back to it later in the day and repeat steps 2-4. The Holy Spirit almost always gives me new insights and a fresh sense of encouragement. This is a great thing to do at the end of the day.

 

 

A 31-Day Scripture Reading Plan

I hope this five-step process helps. Here is a Scripture meditation plan I use for the hard months. Each day is usually just one verse, no more than two. Every single Scripture text is extremely encouraging!

 

Day 1: Romans 8:18

Day 2: Psalms 37:23-24

Day 3: John 16:33

Day 4: Nehemiah 4:20

Day 5: Psalms 42:5

Day 6: Hosea 6:1

Day 7: 2 Timothy 1:7

Day 8: Philippians 4:13

Day 9: Isaiah 41:10

Day 10: Philippians 1:29

Day 11: Psalms 56:3

Day 12: 1 John 4:18

Day 13: Luke 12:22-26

Day 14: Psalms 27:1

Day 15: 2 Corinthians 2:4

Day 16: Philippians 4:6-7

Day 17: Joshua 1:9

Day 18: Isaiah 35:4

Day 19: Psalms 55:22

Day 20: Mark 6:50

Day 21: 1 Peter 3:14

Day 22: Deuteronomy 31:6

Day 23: Zephaniah 3:17

Day 24: Deuteronomy 3:22

Day 25: Psalms 91:1-16

Day 26: Proverbs 31:25

Day 27: Matthew 6:27

Day 28: Psalms 94:19

Day 29: 1 Peter 5:7

Day 30: Joshua 24:15, 18

Day 31: Psalms 103:10