5-Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental HealthSample

God’s Power and Love

When was the last time you went outside? And not just to stand at the bus stop or walk from a building to a climate-controlled car. According to the American Psychological Association, getting outdoors can help improve your attention, lower your stress, put you in a better mood, and reduce your risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

This makes total sense. God created the earth and everything in it. Every tree, rock, creek, flower, frog, squirrel, and bug. Enjoying nature is good for your body, mind, and soul. The fresh air, the trickle of a stream or the crash of a wave, the song of a bird, the sweet scent of wildflowers, or the stunning colors of a sunset—they all reach somewhere inside you. Getting outdoors can calm your thoughts, inspire curiosity, and spark creativity. It can remind you of God’s great power and love.

Go outside today. Walk a trail, climb a tree, sit by a stream, or spread out a blanket and gaze at the stars. Look around. Listen. Let yourself enjoy your surroundings. Take a moment to thank God for creating so many different and amazing things.