Renewed

We have been promised access to the peace of God, a peace, as Philippians 4 states, that is beyond understanding. Peace is listed among the fruit of the spirit. Isaiah 26 says:
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

God wants us to have healthy minds - in an age that is characterized by fear and anxiety, we are called to a higher walk.  Romans 12 instructs us to renew our minds.  We can do that by recognizing the capability of God's Word to change us as we study and meditate on God's principles, allowing it to govern our thinking.  We have to take the thoughts that would destroy us, as 2nd Corinthians 10 directs us, "captive."  When we replace ungodly thoughts with the truth of Scripture, we can have victory and peace.

+++++

The Bible speaks clearly to areas of our mental health and encourages us to train our minds to think on the truth of Scripture. Romans 12 states:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We talk quite regularly, it seems, about the state of mental health these days.  While there has been a special, and appropriate, emphasis on our young people, there does seem to be a permeating sense of anxiety even among adults. 

According to an article at The Washington Stand, the Gallup organization partnered with the Radiant Foundation to explore elements of "well-being," with an emphasis on the well-being of those who are religious and those who are not.  The article relates that...

...Gallup and Radiant Foundation considered that religion (as it relates to mental health) has been “largely underexplored.”

So, they conducted a poll on the state of well-being of religious and non-religious individuals. The survey was “an analysis of World Poll data collected over 10 years in 152 countries,” and it included “interviews with approximately 1.5 million people.” The findings showed “a strong association between religiosity and wellbeing.” Notably, the study added to existing evidence that religious people have “better wellbeing” than those who are not religious.

As the writer, Sarah Holliday, points out:

Religious people consistently ranked better on the positive experience index and only scored worse on the negative experience index, which tracked feeling anxiety, worry, sadness, anger, stress, or physical pain. The lower the number the better, but religious people ranked 31.4 — higher than non-religious people who were at 29.9.

While it is generally thought that religious practice and mental well-being track together, the writer viewed this is a wrinkle.  She recognized that the reference is to "religious people," not just Christians.  And, that all Christians don't necessarily walk in the truth of Scripture. 

Plus, as Holliday points out, "By way of analysis of the positive experience index results, it makes sense that those tied to a religion have a more positive well-being since their religion is likely giving them a sense of greater purpose." And, she notes that is true for the negative experiences, "just with reverse effects." She writes: "Religion often gives a person reason to put greater emphasis on their daily life as it pertains to life after death." She also adds:

Many religious people are also more aware of sin or religious commands and feel pressured to live perfect lives but are painfully aware that their lives are not perfect. They may suffer from a plague of “not being good enough” and experience anxiety as a result.

Joseph Backholm, senior fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council, adds:

“If you’re aware of your weaknesses but also believe it is your job to earn God’s favor, that can be a discouraging effort. Trying to earn God’s favor through effort has driven a lot of people crazy.”

Holliday notes: 

Backholm said it well when he emphasized that the “gospel of grace makes it clear that our efforts will never be good enough to please God.” Because of this, God sent Jesus to be our righteousness through repentance of sin and belief in Him. “Our righteousness is therefore a gift which propels us to obedience out of gratitude,” he added. “That’s very different than trying to earn God’s favor.”

Backholm also says: “The fruit of a Christian worldview should be peace and joy despite the circumstances, so if people consider themselves religious but are experiencing disproportionate anxiety, fear, and sadness, there is something they aren’t understanding about God and what He has done for us.”

Polling data can help us to see certain trends and attitudes in culture - and in ourselves.  Here, we see that there is a positive connection between religious practice and mental well-being.  That's not a surprise.  But, for the Christian, we also have to make sure that our faith is producing the desired fruit in our lives.  It's not a matter of just doing the right things - it's allowing God's Word and God's presence to totally transform our lives.  We have to handle the Word of God accurately and make sure that we not only regard it as the guidebook for our lives, but realize that the Scriptures contain the power for its principles to be seen in and through us. 

The Bible talks about renewing our minds, which leads to transformation.  If we're not thinking properly, that can impact not only our minds, but other areas of our lives - our lives exhibit negative expressions.  The Bible tells us that the mind that is focused on the Lord can experience perfect peace.  We need that peace that passes all understanding as we face our daily lives.  And, we can demonstrate to those around us the presence of God so that they can have hope as they face the pressures of life.