Take note! Believing is good for you

Hennie Symington

Longing for God's House

How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty!

How I want to be there!

I long to be in the Lord's Temple.

With my whole being I sing for joy

to the living God.

Even the sparrows have built a nest,

and the swallows have their own home;

they keep their young near your altars,

Lord Almighty, my king and my God.

How happy are those who live in your Temple,

always singing praise to you.

How happy are those whose strength comes from you,

who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.

As they pass through the dry valley of Baca,

it becomes a place of springs;

the autumn rain fills it with pools.

They grow stronger as they go;

they will see the God of gods on Zion.

Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty.

Listen, O God of Jacob!  Psalm 84:1-8

It’s official. Research done in the USA as well as Europe has concluded that religious people are much happier and content with life than people who have no religion. It has also been found that religion does not limit one’s capacity for happiness.

Statistics show that too that people who are actively involved in a church or community of faith are considerably happier than atheists, non-believers and those who are religious in name only.

It was also found that the aged with a solid faith accept their circumstances much easier than those who don’t belief – even if they are struggling. One old friend once said that when she feels down, she just sings one of her favourite hymns to cheer her up. My own mother who suffered from dementia for a couple of years before she passed away, expressed her joy till the end of her life by constantly singing: “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long.”

Religion does only make you feel better; it also has a strong influence on your mental health. Teens who regularly attend church, have a much smaller chance of going off the rails and abusing liquor or drugs, while adults who go to church experience fewer divorces, a lower suicide rate and even live a longer and healthier life.

Beware! Faith is no guarantee for a problem free life. Jesus and his disciples were not spared emotions such as anger, and heartbreak, pain and suffering. However, believing offers us a bond with a community of believers who care for you. Think about the many times you were sick and your church prayed for you, or you did it for someone in your Bible study group.

In a time when people increasingly are struggling to find meaning in their life, faith meets all our basic spiritual needs: It gives meaning and a purpose to your life. It provides you with three of the most important ingredients for happiness: something to live by; something to live for and something to die for.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord for the gift of faith. Thank you also for the gift of  a community of believers.