Why should we consider practicing spiritual habits like Bible reading, prayer, and attending church? Because what we do regularly to connect with God can be a healthy habit that enhances our mental health.
If you are a Christian, your spiritual habits become the guiding force that ensures peace (Philippians 4:6-7), joy (John 15:10-12), and wisdom (James 1:5) which definitely improve mental health. Spiritual practices have shown to improve mental health (Greenstein, 2016) and to calm an anxious mind (Mayo Clinic, 2020).
Here are key spiritual habits and why they matter:
Read the Bible
We speak to God through prayer, but God speaks to us primarily through His Word. When we read, study, and meditate on God’s Word it comes into our minds and speaks to us personally. Here are some thoughts to consider:
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Read the Bible through over a set time period, cover to cover.
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Study a particular book or theme with the aid of a Bible study curriculum, commentary or study notes.
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Listen to the Bible by downloading an audio Bible App.
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Make a plan that includes time, place, and format – and get started.
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If this is new to you, start small, developing the habit first, then increasing the length of time or depth of study as you practice.
Attend church
The Body of Christ can be a safety measure for ensuring that we are on track spiritually, and not deceived or misled. The Bible tells us that gathering with other believers is an essential part of the Christian life (Hebrews 10:24-25). We are designed for fellowship, corporate worship and corporate Bible teaching (Acts 2:42). God is present in a unique way when Christians gather together (Matthew 18:20). The advantage to making church attendance a habit is that you prioritize decision-making on Sundays when competing opportunities for activities come up.
Focused, quiet time with God
The Bible tells us to, “Be still, and know that [He] is God.” (Psalm 46:10). Jesus said that, “true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24). Learning how to quiet yourself and be present with God may be easy for some, but most of us find it difficult.
This week’s podcast:
Listen as Tova Kreps, LCSW, shares how habits can effect the heart and mind.
