THE OPEN DOOR –

Faith in Someone greater than ourselves can bring us a sense of well-being that isn’t available elsewhere. Not with medication nor endless counselling. Faith can help us develop the following:

A sense of hope
A reason for living
Strength to cope with hardships
Confidence
Relief from anxiety, stress, and fear
Ability to make sense of life
Comfort during trials
A source of peace and joy
Strength to forgive ourselves and others
Knowledge of being loved

It is abundantly clear that religious faith providing the above is important to everyone’s mental well-being. But for those battling mental illness, I would say it’s vitally important. I know that from my own experience and from what I have witnessed in those to whom I have given support.

Gleanings from Harold G. Koenig’s book, Faith & Mental Health:

Life without a faith in Someone greater than ourselves is devoid of meaning. Yet it is meaning that enables those who suffer to survive. Religion gives meaning to our lives. It is important because it provides a sense of purpose and direction for life that gives hope for better times ahead and gives significance to present difficulties. People need this hope in order to continue fighting the illness and make the efforts necessary to recover and rehabilitate.

“Religion influences mental health by directing one’s attention outside of the self. Every major world religious leader has instructed his followers to support and care for one another: Moses, Jesus, the Buddha, Hindu holy men, and Mohammed all emphasized this teaching as a key to happiness and spiritual progress. Such teachings promote forgiveness, mercy, kindness, compassion, and generosity toward others

“Are the mental health benefits of religion restricted to only certain types of religion? Is Christianity more effective in preventing mental problems or reducing their severity than say Judaism or Islam or Buddhism? The information we have suggests that devout, sensible religious practices typically encouraged within each of the major world religions usually correlate with better mental health.”

marja