Who Says Christians Weather Stress Better?

Well this is the latest in a string of research studies over the past few years:(see here and here and here and here that have noted that people of faith tend to live healthier, happier, longer and less stressful lives than those with no practicing faith tradition. Now this may be a surprise to those who don’t take faith in God seriously or even reject it out of hand, but it is not a surprise as a general rule to those who follow the life-enriching prescriptions for living from God’s point of view.

Since we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), then it makes good sense that He would know best how this life is lived and enjoyed to its maximum potential. This healthcare wisdom is communicated to us in His Word, the Bible. Listen to just a few of the insights and highlights from God Himself.


Proverbs 17:22 - "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."
Psalm 32:1-4 – “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer”
Psalm 119:143 - "Trouble and anguish have come upon me; yet Your commandments are my delight."
Proverbs 3:7-8 - “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones” (see also 9:9-11, 10:27)
Proverbs 3:1-2 – “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you” (see also 3:24, 4:20-22)
Proverbs 4:23 - "Watch over your heart, with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
Proverbs 12:25 - "Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad."
Proverbs 13:12 - "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life."
Proverbs 14:30 - "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion (jealousy) is rottenness to the bones."
Proverbs 16:24 – “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”
Isaiah 26:3 - "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You."

All of these Scripture verses and others don't guarantee that people of faith (in Jesus Christ) will be shielded from disease and death or the effects of an economic recession, but they do demonstrate the great wisdom of God for His creation that is both preventative and remedial. In the end, the understanding and application of these truths continue to reveal that God's ways produce a healtheir and happier life.

Ultimately, one of the great promises God has made for His followers in the future is a new disease-free body that is fitted perfectly for eternal life in heaven (I Corinthians 15:42-53, Philippians 3:20-21). In heaven, there is "no more death...mourning...crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4-5) and this promise is made uniquely to those who have recognized their need for Jesus Christ's grace and forgiveness (Ephesians 2:1-5) and turned from their sins (Luke 13:3) and believed in Jesus Christ and His delivering grace (Ephesians 2:6-9).

I thank God for the resources He has allowed me to be exposed to over the years that has helped me weather the many and varied storms of life. But most of all, I thank Him for His gracious salvation that promises that even when I do succumb to the physical, financial or emotional challenges of life, I will overcome by His grace and live on forever with Him.