I don’t think anyone should ever underestimate the power of reading. Over the years, I have developed a list of reasons why reading is essential, especially reading Scripture. Obviously, I believe the devotional experience is the most important reading event of your day, but beyond that I think reading is an essential discipline for the following reasons.

1.  Reading develops mental muscle. Understanding the written word grows the mind, and continues to do so as you age.

2.  Reading develops listening skills. When a person listens and listens well, they begin to eliminate misunderstanding, which removes a lot of chaos from their lives.

3.  Reading develops the imagination. Unlike TV and computer games that “amuse” people, reading through their imagination can go anywhere. By the way, “amuse” comesfrom two words “a”—[non] and “muse” [think] literally to not think.

4.  Reading develops creative thinking. Imagination eventually leads to creative thoughts. Reading a story will develop the creative side of your thinking.

5.  Reading nurtures a strong self-confidence. Poor readers tend to develop a poor sense of self-confidence, the more someone reads, the more likely they are to develop a God-centered confidence (of course this is dependant upon their reading sources).

6.  Reading nurtures a never-give-up attitude. Those who read become more confident that they can figure out how to get things done, so they are more likely to hang in there and figure it out.

7.  Reading leads to writing. Those who read tend to write, and good ideas written down are powerful unstoppable forces that can change destinies. 

8.  Readers are harder to control.  Those who read are not as easily controlled by oppressive powers.  It is difficult to emotionally sway a literate person. 

9.  The most important reason we should read is stated in John 1, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God.” God decided to reveal Himself through words. By reading, we give God the opportunity to reveal Himself.

Read and teach your children to read, especially the daily readings, and then write down your insights. Let your mind and life grow through reading. If you are a parent, read to your child often.