scripture memory Archives - Sharla Fritz

Sharla Fritz

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Scripture Memory: Verses to Get You Out of An Emotional Basement

I always good intentions with Scripture memory. Over the years I have memorized (and forgotten) dozens of Bible verses.

I love God’s Word–a healthy dose of it is what gets me through each day.

But memorizing? I’ve not been very consistent in committing Scripture to heart. Somehow it’s been like every other diet I’ve been on. I’m faithful for awhile and then let it drop.

Lately though, I’ve realized that having Scripture in my head and heart make a big difference in my outlook on life. Without regular review of God’s words to me, my mood is more dependent on my circumstances, I’m more susceptible to negative attacks from the enemy, and my prayer life suffers.

So at the beginning of this new year, I’m picking up a habit I never should have dropped. Like the psalmist, I want to store God’s word in my heart.

I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Verses to Get you Out of An Emotional Basement

But maybe you don’t know where to begin with Scripture memory. What verses should you choose? What version of the Bible should you use? My suggestion is to use the version that you most often read out of and store up verses that speak to your heart.

I especially love memorizing Scripture verses that speak of God’s love for me. When the world beats me down, when I doubt my worth, these are the verses that consistently pull me out of any emotional basement I get into:

All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you. (Song of Songs 4:7 NIV 1984)

The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11 NIV 1984)

As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5 ESV)

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1 NIV 1984)

The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. (Psalm 32:10b)

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. (Isaiah 43:4)

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. (Psalm 62:7)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

Easy Steps to Memorizing Scripture

I encourage you to begin storing up some favorite verses. Don’t be intimidated. Here are some tips to begin memorizing.

Start with one verse.

Write it on a sticky note.

Post it where you will see it often.

Read it out loud every day and then try to say it without looking at the note.

By the end of the week you will have one verse memorized.

I have heard it said that when we memorize Scripture we are giving the Holy Spirit the opportunity to speak to us in His language. When we store God’s Word in our minds, He can easily bring them to mind when we need them. That way, when you’re discouraged, disappointed, or hurt, the Spirit will bring out of storage the exact encouragement you need.

Next step: Pick one of the verses above. Or one of your own. Follow the easy steps to memorizing God’s Word. Scripture memory will help you hear the Spirit’s encouraging voice!

7 Tips for Scripture Memory

Perhaps when you think of Scripture memory you think of your days in Sunday School or VBS. You diligently memorized the required verses so you could get a gold star or a cool prize. But probably as soon as Sunday School or VBS was over, you promptly forgot those Scriptures.

I know that’s what happened to me. I think it was because I fixed the words in my mind, but not in my heart.

Deuteronomy 11:18 says:

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds.”

God does not want us to memorize His Word as an intellectual exercise only. Yes, any kind of memorization requires concentration and repetition. But if we are only memorizing the words and not the message the words won’t go deep into our souls.

Scripture memory is an exercise of the heart. Through His Word, God tells us over and over again of His love for us. And when we store those words in our hearts, we can pull them up anytime we are discouraged, frustrated, hurt, ridiculed, or even downright depressed.

As we fix God’s Word in our minds and our hearts it changes us. The words weave into the fiber of our souls and transform our attitudes and emotions. The words refashion our purpose and our will.

God wants you to fix Scripture in your mind and heart not as an intellectual exercise but as exercise of love.

But memorizing anything can be hard. So today here are 7 tips I use to help me memorize Scripture.

  1. Choose verses that are meaningful to you. If a verse speaks to your heart, you will be much more likely to remember it. You will pull it out of your memory banks often when you need encouragement or peace.
  2. Write the verse on a card that you post by your computer or sink. Review it while you are waiting for the computer to boot up or while you are washing dishes.
  3. Say the verse out loud. Seeing and hearing the verse will help you fuse it to your memory. When you speak the words it helps your mind to store them securely.
  4. Memorize phrase by phrase. Read one phrase then try to say it without looking.
  5. Memorize the reference. Say the reference before and after the verse so you can also remember where to find your favorite Scriptures.
  6. Review, review, review. Keep a file of verses you have memorized and review them periodically.
  7. Recite the verse or verses you are memorizing while you are walking, doing chores, or like me–when you are trying to go to sleep.

Lately, I have found Scripture memory to be especially useful when I can’t sleep at night. Somehow when I lay my head on my pillow, I immediately think of all the stupid things I did that day. Or my anxiety about getting everything done resurfaces. Even after I have prayed, confessed, and turned over my worries to God, my mind will run over the concerns like a hamster on an exercise wheel.

But recently I have started using the verses I have memorized as my new hamster wheel. I get off the wheel of regret and worry and hop on the wheel of God’s Word.

Here are a few of the verses that have been especially helpful:

  • “The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.” Psalm 32:10b
  • “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
  • “Grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:18b

As I run over these verses again and again, God gives me peace, contentment,…and sleep.

As you fix God’s words in your minds and hearts, you will discover a transformation of your thinking, a confidence of God’s love for you, and lasting peace in your heart.