One common goal or aspiration is good health. Across the globe, despite our differences we all desire to feel well, physically, mentally and emotionally. When you consider your health do you think about your spiritual well being? When you are calendaring physical fitness and continuing education goals do you also schedule time for spiritual growth?
Research tells us that spiritual development has many health benefits. Your spiritual growth will:
- Bring meaning to your life, which can lead you to greater happiness
- Inspire feelings of gratitude
- Create an experience of deeper compassion
- Improve social connections
- Allow you to better cope with stress
- Promote and develop more positive relationships
Turning your thoughts, time and attention to spiritual growth will advance these areas of your life:
- Depression
Many people describe depression as not being able to cope or to lift one’s head above the waves. They feel alone and lost. In this depressed state they imagine themselves separated from everyone, including God. This is untrue. God is divine power that lifts anyone struggling, out of the waves of confusion, and directly into contentment.
“No one makes God present. The divine presence simply is. Perhaps that’s why God revealed Himself to Moses as the great I AM.5 God exists, and His action in each person’s life is a law of good that won’t be denied. Just as God led more than a half million people out of Egypt and slavery in the Old Testament days, so He can lead someone out of mental or physical enslavement. This is God’s grace. It is the divine influence that is always present—saving, healing, enlightening. Christ heals depression. Christ is the spiritual idea of God shining through mental darkness and leading the one in need to a state of mental health. Christ is the power of God actively communicating God’s love to each individual. The power of Christ is fighting for you against mental darkness. It resurrects a sense of self-worth and a desire to live.” Elise L. Moore from the December 2002 issue of The Christian Science Journal
Jesus said after his triumphant resurrection, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world Matthew 28:18
- Strengthen Immune System
The nature of health from a spiritual perspective is God centered. The Christian Science view, distinguished from the conventional medical concept, is “The true consciousness is the true health” (Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings, p. 298). Man is created in God’s image and when we fully realize this, those perfect body/mind systems do the perfect job they were intended to do!
- Peace and Better Sleep
Chronic insomnia is so prevalent these days this entire article could be devoted to the subject. We embody perfect harmony. When we see ourselves as separate from God, we weaken and derail that beautiful rhythm.
Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery of Christian Science revealed that God’s same power that enabled Jesus to heal people, is available to us today. This awareness is the Christ, Truth, which Jesus embodied completely. According to her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “The consciousness of Truth rests us more than hours of repose in unconsciousness” (p. 218).
The Apostle Paul described this prayer when he told the Romans, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:2).
Of course this small introduction to a few of the benefits in growing spiritually is a small ripple in a beautiful, blessing filled, immeasurable and eternal lake. God is All. Understanding that our identity is spiritual can be instantaneous for some and a longer journey for others. Join us for a special event at talksthatinspire.org on May 29th to hear from two amazing speakers and a talented musician as they expound on their personal spiritual experiences and knowledge.
