Reading. Part 5
READING AND HEALING
Proverbs 4: 20 to 22 says, 'My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh'.
Pastor Derek Prince, the international missionary and great teacher of the word, told the story of his healing. He was bed-riden during world war 2 at a military camp where there were no adequate medical facilities, so for over a year he laid ill in bed. Being a young Christian then, he had the zeal to read the bible right through, so he began reading, underlining passages that caught his attention. When he got to the Book of Proverbs, the above passage particularly arrested his interest. He studied the passage and got a revelation that those words were actually medicine, so he decided to take in those words three times daily and start doing what they say:
According to Dr. Jenni Ogden, a clinical psychologist who described herself as a 'book addict', the idea of reading books as a healing activity has been in existence for centuries. She cited the example of an ancient Pharaoh who kept his books in a special chamber he labeiied "House of Healing for the soul". The term 'Bibliotherapy' involves using books to help people solve their personal challenges. According to the experts, "After uncovering the patient’s problems (whether it be with grief, anger, depression, significant life changes, and so on), the bibliotherapist would then prescribe a list of books that would provide inspiration and enrichment. These books would cater to the individual’s unique set of problems. Among the most commonly prescribed books were philosophy, poetry, and creative nonfiction, THOUGH FICTION PROVED TO BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL." [Emphasis mine]
We can thus learn two lessons from this post. First, reading and meditating on the bible consistently as our first daily activity can grow our faith and heal our bodies. Secondly, reading widely at our leisure not only gives us knowledge, it is also beneficial to our mind and soul.
olusegunisaac2018@gmail.com
Proverbs 4: 20 to 22 says, 'My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh'.
Pastor Derek Prince, the international missionary and great teacher of the word, told the story of his healing. He was bed-riden during world war 2 at a military camp where there were no adequate medical facilities, so for over a year he laid ill in bed. Being a young Christian then, he had the zeal to read the bible right through, so he began reading, underlining passages that caught his attention. When he got to the Book of Proverbs, the above passage particularly arrested his interest. He studied the passage and got a revelation that those words were actually medicine, so he decided to take in those words three times daily and start doing what they say:
- He paid attention to what God was telling him therein as a son.
- He knew he needed the word of God to develop his faith [Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing the word of God - Rom.10:17], so he sought to hear God by reading His written words.
- He understood he had to read the words regularly so he focussed on the passage consistently.
- He knew he must meditate on what the passage was saying for a clearer understanding.
- He expected a performance of what the passage was communicating to him. Within the three months of obeying what the words were saying in this manner, he got back perfect health throughout his body!
According to Dr. Jenni Ogden, a clinical psychologist who described herself as a 'book addict', the idea of reading books as a healing activity has been in existence for centuries. She cited the example of an ancient Pharaoh who kept his books in a special chamber he labeiied "House of Healing for the soul". The term 'Bibliotherapy' involves using books to help people solve their personal challenges. According to the experts, "After uncovering the patient’s problems (whether it be with grief, anger, depression, significant life changes, and so on), the bibliotherapist would then prescribe a list of books that would provide inspiration and enrichment. These books would cater to the individual’s unique set of problems. Among the most commonly prescribed books were philosophy, poetry, and creative nonfiction, THOUGH FICTION PROVED TO BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL." [Emphasis mine]
We can thus learn two lessons from this post. First, reading and meditating on the bible consistently as our first daily activity can grow our faith and heal our bodies. Secondly, reading widely at our leisure not only gives us knowledge, it is also beneficial to our mind and soul.
olusegunisaac2018@gmail.com
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