The Bible is the world's best stress reliever!

What does the Bible mean to you? How often do you read it yourself? Have you ever used the Bible for comfort in time of distress?

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Bible never ceases to amaze me. Every time I feel depressed or upset about something, I open my Bible, often to a random page and begin reading. It always seems that right away, I encounter a verse that was written for me.

It could be that the Holy Spirit is pointing out the verse I need to read, or perhaps it is because I am ready to hear the message God intends for me. No matter the reason, the Bible is the single best anti-depressant I have ever experienced. Like a ray of sunshine on your face after a powerful storm, the words of God are a welcome relief amid stress.

Let the Bible be of comfort to you in moments of need.

I learned the practice of reading the Bible to feel better as a teenager. I could never get enough of the Bible as a child and as a young man, I was no different. The first books I wanted to read as a young adult were the books of Maccabees because I knew they were removed from Protestant translations. I wanted to see for myself what the fuss was about.

I remember reading proverbs, and since then I have returned to that book, reading each pearl of wisdom over and over, especially at times when I felt cheated or slighted. Proverbs always gives me a reassurance that there will be justice and it reminds me to deal fairly with others, no matter how I might feel.

I remember at my confirmation, actually asking for a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church after seeing it in a Catholic bookstore. Needless to say, I wasn't your typical teenage Catholic. I even tried to teach myself Latin.

In the years since, I haven't read so much of my Catechism, and my Latin skills are about as dead as the language itself, but one thing remains constant -my love of the Bible. No matter how I feel, no matter what is happening in my life, the Bible always has something new and useful to say to me.

I think that anyone who reads the Bible with a prayerful heart will certainly find entertainment, comfort, wisdom and direction there. After all, what else is the point of the Bible? The Bible is the ultimate book of answers for every problem and question you may have. No matter what challenge you face, Jesus probably faced it too. Certainly our ancestors did. They had the wisdom to capture their experiences in scripture. We do well to read and follow their examples.

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If you want to experience the joy of reading the Bible consider reading an official Catholic translation. The New American Bible, Revised Edition was released in 2011 and it has an entirely revised Old Testament based on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the latest scholarship. The Psalter is also revised to read smoothly and it is this edition that is officially approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Some of you have asked us why there is a U.S. translation of the Bible, and why not just a Catholic Bible. The answer only has to do with language and the meanings of words in each native tongue. The Catholic Bible is precisely the same in meaning and understanding around the globe, but it is the regional translations that are approved by local bishops to provide the most precise meanings available in each language.

Presently, you can get your own copy of the New American Bible, Revised Edition from Catholic Shopping .com at the special price of $7.99 each. This price makes them an easy buy. Discounts are available for bulk orders which makes these Bibles ideal for classes, donating at Church and elsewhere.

You can also keep a copy at work, one on your nightstand, and another in your study or den, which will allow you to quickly access the scriptures when you have a question or need to look something up.

This edition is fully reinforced with over 8,000 helpful notes form scholars to aid understanding.

Catholic Shopping .com still has some of these Bibles left from their original order of 500. Get yours now before they sell out and the price goes back up!

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