“If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.” – Corrie TenBoom
FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS the spiritual side of life does not exist or is of little or no significance. But can it be ignored?
Multitudes of people everywhere accept that as human beings we are comprised of the physical, because we relate to the environment around us; social, because we relate to others like us; mental, because we acquire knowledge and process information; emotional, because we are able to experience feelings. We do have a spiritual self that causes us to relate to God.
Throughout the world and in many cultures, people understand or perceive God differently. For some, God is one person; others believe that God is plural, while others believe that everybody or everything is God.
There is yet another group of individuals who do not believe that there is any God. The question of this latter group believing that they have a spirit may be one for debate.
Whatever the concept of God for individuals, the principle of spiritual allegiance and devotion is the same, and becomes important in their day-to-day experiences
As a Christian I have chosen to believe in a living, personal God Who Created the entire world, and is all-powerful, all wise, all knowledgeable, and possesses all understanding and unconditional love.
There is so much energy devoted to the non-spiritual areas of our lives that the spiritual self of which we are comprised is often placed on the back burner.
When overwhelmed by major challenges within the physical, social, mental or emotional department of our lives there is a tendency to seek out someone or something we believe has greater resources than we do to help us in, and through, those crises.
The same passion seems not to be generated within the spiritual segment of our lives, although it is now known that accepting and befriending it results in added value to all other areas of the human personality. Here are a few concrete examples.
Within the medical field it was discovered that spirituality plays a significant role in the lives of patients.
In the US National Library of Medicine, a Journal dated October 2001 on the Role Of Spirituality In Health Care, Dr Christiana M. Puchalski, Professor of Medicine and Health Science at George Washington School of Medicine and Director of Spirituality and Health found that: “Those who are spiritual tend to have a more positive outlook and a better quality of life. For example, patients with advanced cancer who found comfort from their religious and spiritual beliefs were more satisfied with their lives, were happier, and had less pain.”
A survey done by The American Pain Society revealed that “personal prayer was the most commonly used nondrug method of controlling pain: 76 per cent of the patients made use of it.
“In this study, prayer as a method of pain management was used more frequently than intravenous pain medication (66 per cent), pain injections (62 per cent), relaxation (33 per cent), touch (19 per cent), and massage (9 per cent). Pain medication is very important and should be used, but it is worthwhile to consider other ways to deal with pain as well.”
In patients’ recovery, Puchalski also found that “Spiritual commitment tends to enhance recovery from illness and surgery.
“For example, a study of heart transplant patients showed that those who participated in religious activities and said their beliefs were important, complied better with follow-up treatment, had improved physical functioning at the 12-month follow-up visit, had higher levels of self-esteem, and had less anxiety and fewer health worries.”
Not only within the physical side of mankind does spiritual self play an important role, but it is also observed in one’s mental health as well.
Development
The Royal College of Psychiatrists published an article in 2014 on Spirituality and Mental Health and stated that: “Spiritual practices can help us to develop the better parts of ourselves. They can help us to become more creative, patient, persistent, honest, kind, compassionate, wise, calm, hopeful and joyful. These are all part of the best health care.”
When it comes to the emotional and social side of mankind the University of Maryland Medical Centre in 2015 wrote: “Spiritual practices tend to improve coping skills and social support, foster feelings of optimism and hope, promote healthy behaviour, reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and encourage a sense of relaxation.”
Journalist Eric Nelson of Communities Digital News in March 2014 in his article on Spirituality and Health Care said: “With more than 75 per cent of all medical schools in the US having integrated spirituality into their training programmes – up from just three schools 20 years ago – it’s safe to say that this once marginalised subject has made it into the mainstream of modern medicine.”
Although there are areas for debate in some aspects of practice within some spiritual organisations, there is a large body of compelling, empirical and authentic research which speaks very highly of the significant role spirituality plays in the physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing of humanity. What is also true is that a substantial amount of the research is done by non-religious bodies.
After more than 45 years of befriending my spiritual self with continual prayer and a strong faith and confidence in God with whom I enjoy a personal relationship, I can attest to what the scientists are now challenging people to accept.
I was a teenager full of rebellion prior to my encounter with the living God who revealed Himself to me through His created work.
Today I enjoy His peace and an inner spiritual strength that keeps me buoyant in the midst of the severe emotional, physical, mental and social adversities that sometimes present themselves in my life’s journey.
Though knocked down at times, I am never knocked out. With the resilience that comes as a result of my firm belief in my ever resourceful God, I rise again with dogged determination to make a positive mark on my generation.
It was Norman Vincent Peale who said: “Through persistence, self-knowledge, prayer, commitment, optimism, a resolute trust in God and the building of your own personal moral strength, you can enjoy the blessings of a deeper faith and face the difficulties of life with courage and confidence.”
Well put. Befriend your spiritual self.
• Haynesley Griffith is a marriage and family life consultant. Email: griffitharticles@gmail.com