5 Benefits Of Reading Quality Books (ESD)

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Developing solid spiritual disciplines takes a lot of work and a lot of time. But it is well worth the effort. Many of the disciplines that we need to develop in our lives require a lot of patience and a lot of practice to build into a solid habit. Others are much easier; as easy as simply choosing the right thing.

That’s the case when it comes to reading quality books, besides the Bible reading that we need to maintain. There are a lot of books out there. But not everything in print is worth reading. And much that is okay to read shouldn’t be too high on the priority list.

Quality Books

This is a case where you may have to sacrifice the good for the best. While there is much to read that is good, and books that we like to read, there are other things that are the best things to read. Seeking these out and spending time with them is a habit that is worth developing.

Here are five major benefits that come with choosing the best books to read.

Reading Quality Books Helps You Relax

Many people cringe when they hear the words “read” and “relax” together. But it’s true. Reading quality books can help you release stress and relax. For some, this may occur when reading a good novel. For others, reading nonfiction is better. Learning something new on a topic you enjoy can help your body to eliminate stress and stimulate your brain to focus on something else for a while.

I get wrapped up when reading a good book. I’m focused and I lose track of the time. I can sit down in the evening with a book and realize later that I’ve spent half the night there. Reading a good book can release and relieve the pressures of daily life.

Reading Quality Book Builds Your Knowledge

When you spend time with a quality book, you educate yourself. Sure, you can learn from the books that aren’t the best, but you’ll learn more from the book that are the best. When you take the time to invest in quality reading material, your knowledge will grow. And if you are reading books that speak to your passions, interests, or career choice, you will gain significant benefits and resources from your time spent with that book.

For example, one of my passions is to be the best father and husband I can be for my family. Reading books on being a better husband and father gives me the knowledge to approach both of those roles more prepared. I understand more of what I am called to be in each of those areas. Of course, knowledge doesn’t equate to applicability until I put into practice what I’ve learned. But it is very helpful.

Reading Quality Books Helps Grow Your Spiritual Life

Choose books that will draw you closer to Christ and strengthen your walk with him. There are many excellent books out there that will help you do this. Many of these books are from contemporary authors. Many others are from authors that lived in the last century or before. Still others lived multiple centuries ago.

One of the areas I have added to my own life when it comes to reading has been the works of the early church fathers. While many of these are cumbersome and massive, there are several resources that allow you to read selections from many of these ancient leaders that were full of spiritual wisdom.

One of my favorite authors from more recent history has always been C. S. Lewis. His works always challenge me to think a little deeper and a little harder to grow in my walk with Christ. Still more recently, I’ve been reading many of the books by Timothy Keller and N. T. Wright. Insights from each of these areas have helped me to grow in my faith.

Reading Quality Books Helps You To Lead Better

As a minister, I have a serious responsibility to lead my church well. My teaching and preaching must be knowledgeable and correct. My leadership abilities in other areas of my ministry and my personal life must grow as well, or they will shrink. It may be trite, but the phrase is true: Leaders are readers. And the best leaders read the best books.

If I fail to read the best books, my leadership will suffer. The result of that is that my wife will suffer. My kids will suffer. My church will suffer. Even my own personal life will suffer. Reading the best books will stimulate my leadership skills to grow beyond where they currently are.

Reading Quality Books Helps You To Enjoy Life

As I grow, I become more satisfied and secure in who I am. And while I know I will never “arrive,” I can look back and see that I am a different person than I was a year ago, or five years ago, or ten. And the more I grow, the more I enjoy myself and my life. When I read an excellent book that challenges my thinking on preaching, for example, then my preaching will get better. And that helps me to enjoy even more what I do.

In many ways, reading is an act of worship. When I read things that help me to understand God in better and deeper ways, I am more grateful for who he is and what he has done in my life. Many times, I’ve been lead into the presence of God and experienced a sacred moment simply by turning the pages of a book, just as easily as I have been moved in my spirit by a worship song played or sung.

Reading Quality Books Takes Effort And Discipline

I can get lost in a good western or science fiction novel. Sometimes it can be hard to say no to such a book so that I can spend time in one that is better suited to help me grow in one of the areas above. That’s not to say that reading books like that is bad. It’s not. But if that is all I read, these other areas can suffer.

Reading quality books takes some deliberate and intentional discipline. It takes some effort. But the results are well worth it.

My suggestion to you is to grab a book that will challenge you and dig in. Read it. Digest it. Grow from it. Enjoy it.

Suggested Books To Consider

Here are a few books to consider reading. This list is brief, and by no means exhaustive. Some of these are fiction. Others are nonfiction. Some are recently written, some have stood the test of time. All of these have been beneficial for my life. I hope you enjoy them as well.

There are so many more that could be listed here. This list doesn’t even begin to touch on may of the classics that has helped shape countless lives over the years. Create your own list of the best books as they impact your life.

Question: What books have been life-changing for you? What would you suggest I add to my list of books to read? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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Categories: Personal Growth, Spiritual Growth