We are exploring together what the
Bible says about wellbeing. Otherwise, how can you live a more satisfied,
fulfilling life? Recently we have been discussing the 5 Scriptural tools to
maturity (Acts 2:42, 47) as a means to build robust Biblically based wellbeing
into our lives! Today, with these tools in hand we discuss the results of the
process!
The fruits of maturing in Christ are
multiple and are mentioned throughout the New Testament. Let's begin by
focusing on four Bible-based characteristics shown beneficial for wellbeing in the medical literature that we
recently reviewed (forgiveness, gratitude, hope and empathy).1 This article was recently
published in the Journal of Religion and
Health. To accomplish our goal we
reviewed clinical studies covering these four characteristics in
patients from 1966 to present. We included 63 articles in the review.
All
four measures evaluated in our study were shown to improve wellbeing, from
pre-adolescents to older adults. Further, these measures were associated more
specifically with improved social relationships and physical health as well as reduced
delinquent behavior.
Although
our review focused on the effect of four specific measures on individuals
themselves, and not on the recipient, we might speculate that any increase in
wellbeing among the evaluated individuals could transmit a greater sense of
wellbeing to others.
The
source of the four evaluated parameters also was evaluated and only two primary
sources were found! First, forgiveness,
gratitude and empathy could be taught, at least to some degree, through classes
or a training module. Hope has not been evaluated in a training module to our
knowledge.
Second,
a person’s religious faith, or their involvement in a community of believers, appeared
positively associated with all four evaluated measures. How the measure was developed
through religion was not completely clear. We might speculate that forgiveness,
gratitude, hope and empathy were produced through knowledge from the religion’s
scriptures, through self-learning or sermons, or through interaction with the
faith community.2 Importantly, almost all articles evaluated in our
review were from traditionally Christian countries.
Our
review suggests that forgiveness, gratitude, hope and empathy may improve
general wellbeing, pro-social and positive relational behavior and demonstrate
positive health effects. These four measures may be derived from religious instruction
and through a faith community.
What other Biblical characteristics are
beneficial to wellbeing? Join me next week as we continue our exciting discussion
of the Biblical characteristics that can change your life.
To ponder, could improved
wellbeing be gained from any religion to the same extent as Christianity?
WC Stewart
http://teleiosresearch.com/http://teleiosblog.blogspot.com/
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@TeleiosResearch
1.
Stewart WC, Reynolds KE, Jones LJ,
Stewart JA, Nelson LA. The source and impact of specific parameters that
enhance well-being in daily life. J Rel Health 2015; in press.
2.
Hong IW, Ow R. Hope among terminally
ill patients in Singapore: An exploratory study. Soc Work Health Care
2007;45:85–106.
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