Stanford University in 2007 released a study which said that social support helps sedentary people become more active. Studies have shown that as few as 48% of Americans claim to get at least thirty minutes of exercise daily. Since some people answer in ways they think will please the questioner, the actual percentage may be lower.
The suggestion from Stanford: telephone reminders either from another person or from a pre-recorded service. It doesn't, from the study results, seem to matter. Those who received either personal or recorded messages exercised more. Even those who received no phone calls exercised more, perhaps in anticipation of having to report in to the survey takers. Abby King, a Stanford professor of medicine said in 2007, "Whether its smoking or alcohol abuse or physical inactivity, social support helps prevent against relapse." (Wall Street Journal, p. D12, 18 May 2010)
Just as physical muscles atrophy if not used, so do spiritual muscles. Some people find it hard to force themselves to take time to pray or to study their Bibles.
Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a friend call and remind you to read your Bible today. Maybe you could even leave a reminder to yourself on your own voicemail.
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