Well

The Scriptures have been given to us so that we might draw closer to God, to learn more about Him, to really know Him, and to experience the knowledge of His presence. God's power will certainly change our lives. In the book of 3rd John, the author writes:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

The entry of truth into our consciousness has the potential to produce prosperity of soul. God is interested in every area of our lives, and if we are living according to the principles of Scripture, we find that His will is expressed through us.  When we study and meditate on the Word and spend time in prayer, it contributes to our emotional health.  When we apply God's principles in responsible financial stewardship, we can come to know Him as our provider.  That's how it works: the entry of God's Word produces change in conformity to His will.

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The Bible has plenty to say about spiritual and emotional health and well-being, and when we appropriate God's resources, we can have satisfaction in Christ. Proverbs chapter 3 states:
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Yesterday, I commented on our being steadfast and satisfied in the Lord, regardless of trying external circumstances.  Gallup's latest Mood of the Nation survey unveils somewhat of a dichotomy, to which I think that Christian believers can relate.

Frank Newport of the Gallup organization, who has been a guest on The Meeting House, wrote these opening lines of the survey summary:

Gallup's January Mood of the Nation survey confirmed the finding that Americans are largely satisfied with the way things are going in their personal life, despite their remarkable lack of satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S. more generally.

Newport certainly has an interest in analyzing the role of faith that emerges from Gallup data, and he writes in the summary:

The January Gallup data indicate that 92% of those who attend church services weekly are satisfied, compared with 82% of those who attend less than monthly. The difference is even more evident in terms of the percentage who report being very satisfied -- 67% of those who attend weekly are very satisfied with their personal life, compared with 48% among those who are infrequent attenders. Weekly religious service attenders are, in fact, more likely to say they are very satisfied than are those who make $100,000 or more in annual household income.

He referred to what he calls "a series of in-depth studies" regarding the "religion/wellbeing connection" around 10 years ago.  The findings were presented at a major conference in Washington, D.C. He writes:

...in the words of a summary published afterward, "The very religious rate their lives more positively, are less likely to have ever been diagnosed with depression, and experience fewer daily negative emotions. … The very religious also make much better health choices than do those who are not as or not at all religious."

Newport cited other studies over the last decade or so, and made this sweeping statement: "...the basic finding, as our recent Gallup data reinforce, is robust. There is an enduring and very well-substantiated finding of a correlation between individuals' personal religiosity and various measures of wellbeing, happiness and mental (and, in some instances, physical) health."

The article is fascinating, and deals with "religion" in general rather than Christianity.  Newport essentially rejects the notion that religious practice could be encouraged or reinforced through public policy and notes the seeming decline in religiosity that research has shown.  So, the coup de grace of his piece is this:

Although the connection between religiosity and wellbeing has been well-established over the decades, there would not appear to be much that can or should be done to harness the connection as a public policy objective. Certainly, if citizens become better acquainted with the research showing the positive effects of religion on wellbeing, it's possible they might be more likely to choose to be religious. It is also possible that current trends in religiosity could be reversed in the future, that the nation could become more religious, and that, in turn, could have a salubrious effect on the nation's wellbeing. But there is little evidence at the moment that religion, and perhaps the wellbeing that goes along with it, is going to have an increased presence in Americans' lives in the years ahead.

But, he does say that religious practice could increase "organically," writing that, "Religion in the U.S. has undergone significant ups and downs over time, particularly as evidenced by periodic 'great awakenings' since the 1700s."

And, therein lies the hope - and the challenge for the Church.  What some might term "organic" could best be described as a move of God in the hearts of His people.  But, while a sovereign God can certainly do what He will, we are reminded that the primary instrument that He uses in order to testify to His greatness is the Church, the body of Christ.  

It does make sense to think that if someone is seeking personal wellbeing and the research is clear that religion can enhance that wellbeing, then everyone would be rushing to that type of experience. But, even in light of the overwhelming, unconditional love of God being made available to us, people continue to reject our Savior.  That's because there is a cost - in order to experience His life, we have to die to self.  But...the good news is that in dying to ourselves, we discover more of the abundant life that He has promised to give us.