Day 13 – Taking a Step Forward

When I was in the thick of losing our baby, one of my closest friends challenged me to do a Bible study with her. I avoided it like the plague. I was reading the Bible and praying, but I was SO angry at God and confused, I didn’t want to do an in-depth study. I love to study and teach the Bible, but I just couldn’t wrap my mind around reading and studying a chapter a day at that point in the mourning.

Then my truth-telling, loving husband called me out. He knew exactly what I needed to help me over the hump and out of the slump. I needed to start ingesting the Word like popcorn during a good movie or a good steak fresh off the grill.  I needed fresh perspective. So, I did it.

I don’t know if you are reading the Bible and praying right now. I don’t know if you feel like spending time with God is even worth it right now, but, sweet sister, I know it is what pulled me out of that pit I was sinking in.

I accepted the challenge and studied through the book of Matthew. It was SO fun. I have done in-depth studies before and even color coding, but there is just something different about the way these ladies approach their time with God. I am going to tell you how I do it, but PLEASE look into their website on your own and do research about which Bible study approach will work best for you in your schedule.  There are so many great resources (www.shereadstruth.com, www.bible.com, www.lproof.org) out there right now and whichever one you choose, I believe it will help you heal.

The closer you cuddle into Jesus right now, the more distinctly you’ll recognize His whispers from the messages of discouragement and despair you are getting everywhere else – even from yourself.

I am studying with Women Living Well and Good Morning Girls right now. It’s the same ministry lead by Courtney Joseph. She adds more to the daily study time than I do, so PLEASE look up the website(s) and tailor your study time to what you need right now. The coolest thing about this Bible study approach is that you can do it with any book of the Bible. I am currently working through the book of Acts with my sister-in-love and LOVING it. I am gaining so much from it.  Here’s what I do each day:

• Grab my journal, pen, and Bible and find a cozy (but not too cozy) place to sit
• Start my time journalling a prayer to God to get my mind fixed on Him.  I start by praising Him for who He is, then thank Him for something specific, then confess my sins and ask His forgiveness – yes, I try to be as detailed as possible.  I don’t want anything in the way of good communication between us.  Then I pray prayers of petition (asking for things my family and I need) and intercession (praying on others’ behalf).
• Write down the Scripture passage “title” I’ll be studying that day (i.e. Acts 3) and crack open God’s Love Letter, the Bible and get out my twistable crayons… so fun!
• Use Courtney Joseph’s Color Coding to work through the Scripture passage for the day. You can see my version (everyone’s version is different) of Acts 1 in the picture at the beginning of this post.

Pull out my journal again and go through the S.O.A.K. Bible Study Method:

S – The S stands for Scripture – Write out one Scripture verse or passage that stood out to you as you were reading and color coding.

O – The O stands for Observation – Write an observation about that Scripture verse or passage (You can use great tools like Bible dictionaries to look up words or commentaries to get extra insight here.).

A – The A stands for Application – Write out an application of the observation into your own life.  This usually turns back into prayer for me…

K – The K stands for Kneeling in Prayer – Respond to what you’ve read by talking directly to God about it.

You may be thinking you aren’t ready for in-depth Bible study, but, sweet sister, please take my challenge and just do it. Make time with God a priority no matter how you feel. Healing comes only from One place, He says “I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26c)

My Prayer for you:

My prayer for all of us is that we won’t deny ourselves healing by turning our backs on the Healer. May we not let our little one’s lives be lost in vain, but use our grief to draw us ever closer to Jesus and to comforting others in their pain.

A Prayer you Could Pray:

Dear Jesus, I want healing, but I don’t want to forget my baby. Will you please heal me and still keep my little one in my heart? Please show me how to lean into You and grow closer to You in the midst of this pain and sadness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Things to Ponder, Pray, and Journal About:

• What are you going to do to get (or stay) closer to Jesus? What will you study in the Bible? How will you pray (journal, aloud, silently, through creative arts)?
• Who is someone who will truthfully, lovingly hold you accountable to spending time with God?
• What do you feel like God is speaking to your heart or mind today? How will you respond?

Follow Up Post (4.15.2020):  I finished. It took me 5 years, but I finished coloring through my entire Bible.  It has been an amazing journey and I’ve learned so much. There is a pang about the time I started this, but there’s a sweet closure to it, as well. I would highly recommend studying the Bible this way, sisters.  It keeps your eyes on Jesus throughout all of the mourning and painful moments as well as the every day happenings and celebrations.