Trust in God

Did you know that people who have faith in God are happier than those who don't? It's true. The authors of Creation Health Discovery cite a study conducted in 560 households, which found that people who pray to God are "happier, more satisfied, and enjoy a deeper sense of well-being about the direction their lives are headed."

Here are some other findings they report:

• "A study of high school seniors revealed that students who go to church are less likely to become delinquents, drink alcohol, or use marijuana than other teens."

And from a May 2001 Readers Digest article cited by the same authors, here are a few findings by researchers at Duke University and Dartmouth Medical School:

• " Those who enjoyed religious services more than once a week enjoyed a seven-years-longer life expectancy than those who never attended."

• "Older adults who considered themselves religious functioned better and had fewer problems than those without faith."

• "Adults who attend a house of worship have lower rates of depression and anxiety."

The list could go on and on. By now, I'm sure you get the idea. Faith, belief in God, prayer, and spirituality are important factors, not only for longevity, but also for the quality of life and health that we experience every day.

There's a wonderful little book on prayer that I've had on my shelf for quite some time. Every now and then when I want to be uplifted, I pull it down and read it again. A classic, it's called The Incredible Power of Prayer by Roger Morneau, a man of amazing faith. Whether or not you're a person of faith, this book will amaze, energize, and inspire you. It's available on Amazon.com, or if all else fails, e-mail me at health.wise26@gmail.com, and I'll mail you a copy.

One last thing. Faith and prayer are good things in and of themselves, but remember, their power is limited unless they are based on a foundation--the foundation of God's Word. Prayer works, not because there is some kind of magic in the words we say, but because of the power of the One who answers prayer. And we can discover that power by studying the Word of God. If you haven't already, I hope you'll begin to dig into the treasures of the Bible to find the power that can heal you, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually, as well. And if you are already a student of the Bible, I hope you'll be inspired to dig even deeper!

Before I go, I want to share a Bible text that expresses my wish for you: "I pray that you may enjoy good health, and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well" (3 John 2).

Pat

The Wellness Lady