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5 Things…You see the lists all over the internet. Things to NEVER eat or things to ALWAYS eat. There’s the list of things you should NEVER do or ALWAYS do.

Sometimes these are called “click bait” because they just want you to click on them to get you to their websites. I get so interested in article after article on childhood stars (where are they now?) or bad foods (what to avoid to lose twenty pounds by tomorrow) and so on. Falling for the bait, I click on article after article after article.

But I found five things you and I can start doing today, to lead to a happier, healthier, and more healed life.

They are just as relevant today, as they were when they were written thousands of years ago. You don’t have to mix it with your water or sprinkle it on your dinner. It isn’t even a pyramid scheme!

Have I got your attention?

Here they are:

With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Psalm 119:13-16 NIV

One of my first pieces of advice I give when someone is going through loss is to read the Psalms. To me, they seem like peeking into a journal of an old time Bible character-his personal blog before blogging! The authors get mad, they get sad, they complain, they rejoice–sometimes all in the same chapter! Doesn’t that sound a little familiar?

But the Psalms have a way of focusing my attention and regaining perspective.

• Recount. Start with journaling how God has taken care of you in the past. Or how God has walked beside you. Maybe write about how God has sent others to hold your arms up in the battle. What Scripture or songs have come on at just the right time you needed them?
• Rejoice. Rejoice as one who has won the lottery. I have never even bought a lottery ticket so for me to win would be some major big-time rejoicing! The rejoicing in this verse though is pointing at following God’s laws. We might interpret it as rejoicing in living according to Scripture.
• Meditate. Give thought throughout the day. We can only do that when we are focused on Scripture as we START the day. I have to work at this still. I can easily get distracted by my life, social media, or the news. It seems like an inconvenience sometimes to take the time to read, but it is always a blessing when I do. I am trying to read through the entire Bible. It has taken me a year and a half to get half way through; but it sure helps me meditate on eternal things.
• Delight. Like in a scrumptious dessert. Look forward to spending time in Scripture. Do you look forward to spending time in worship with other believers either online or in person? We can even delight in singing along with the praise songs on the radio!
• I will NOT neglect your word. I’ve already confessed that spending time in God’s Word is still something I have to remind myself to do. I miss days too often. Then, I always have a lame excuse for why I skipped my time in the Word. It can be easy in our early grief to neglect the Scripture because it is too hard to get our brains to focus. But I believe the Holy Spirit will help us when we ask for focus. God WANTS us to spend time in His Word.

The Psalmist gives us some things we can start doing today.

Which one can you add to your life? Each one will help your heart begin to heal.

Recount

Rejoice

Meditate

Delight

Not neglect God’s Word.

Lord, You want me in Your Word. Give me focus today to dig into Scripture. Help me recount the ways You have protected me or answered prayers in the past. I want to follow Your Word today. Amen