Is your belief in God connected to your mental health?
Some researchers think so. They published their findings in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.
And once you hear what they’ve concluded – you’ll be compelled to do one of two things.
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit – the world was stunned – as we’d never seen anything like it.
The government mandates and shutdowns caused massive economic loss and struck close to home for many individuals, who suddenly found themselves out of jobs.
Others faced losses of loved ones – or simply experienced isolation as they were separated from family and friends.
And for the first time ever, many folks found themselves struggling with fear of the future, or asking questions like “Where will I go if I die?”
This caused some to fall on their knees – crying out to the sky to see who listened, while others kept living life as usual.
Praise God, thousands gave their lives to Christ – sparking a massive spiritual revival, which is still taking place around the world.
But what about those who don’t know God?
Well, a new study shows what we already know – those who are insecure in their relationship with God are more likely to face emotional duress in life.
Researchers based their findings on Attachment Theory – which describes how children relate to their caretakers.
We know those who grow up with secure attachment to their caretakers tend to develop healthy boundaries and expect their needs to be met later in life – unlike those with avoidant and anxious attachment styles – who have a harder road.
But how does this relate to God?
According to researchers W. Matthew Henderson and Blake Kent – those who are comfortable with their relationships with God tend to have better mental health.
The Christian Post reported:
“Attachment to God summarily is a way to measure people’s dispositions like emotional dispositions towards God. So if you feel like God is consistent and responsive, usually we call that a secure attachment to God. If you feel like God is aloof and distant and you can’t really rely on Him, that is an avoidant attachment style. And if you’re just not really sure, that’s kind of an anxious attachment,” Henderson explained.
“What we found with the curvilinear relationship was higher levels of psychological distress were predicted for people who were in the middle of this avoidance-secure measure.”
Now, this doesn’t mean Christians don’t struggle with anxiety, because they do.
The difference is – those who believe in Christ and are right with God – are filled with His presence and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
They know where they’ll go if they get hit by a bus tomorrow and die.
However, those who aren’t secure in their salvation – have nothing to hope for – and are left paralyzed in fear at the latest crisis.
Knowing this result of such insecurity should compel us to not only make sure we’re right with God – but also tell others about Jesus and who He is so they can experience His peace.
This world is sinful and broken.
But even on our worst days, as Christians, we can rest in Jesus, our living hope.
May we all have a heart for those who don’t yet know Jesus – and live our lives making His name known.
Amen!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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