You and I know that polls are untrustworthy. You and I know that anyone can make statistics say what they want them to say. Still, I’ll share this with you…
At www.thefederalist.com is an article entitled, “Survey Finds As American Psyche Reaches New Low, Frequent Churchgoers Fare Better Than The Rest.”
Here would be the place for all emojis that express shock and amazement. However, those who self-identify as “frequent churchgoers” or as “people who spend time in the Word of God” (my choice of phrase) are not surprised by such a conclusion.
Some details from the Gallup Poll:
Those with the greatest ratings of mental well-being were attendants of weekly religious services, who were the only sub-group to report a rise in their mental health: from 42% a year ago to 46% now reporting their psyche being in “excellent” shape. That’s still less than half of respondents, but it’s the highest number in the midst of a pandemic winter and the aftermath of a highly contested national election.
More detail on the religious numbers:
OK, here goes. You can skip to the next paragraph if you’re tired of social media “putdowns.”
If you attend worship on a regular basis, either in-person or online; if you spend regular time in the Word, you don’t need a Gallup poll to confirm what you already know:
And finally, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)
Worship is certainly good for your mental health. But it’s especially good for your emotional and physical and spiritual health. See you this weekend – in-person or online – for more building of the psyche/soul!
In Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
At www.thefederalist.com is an article entitled, “Survey Finds As American Psyche Reaches New Low, Frequent Churchgoers Fare Better Than The Rest.”
Here would be the place for all emojis that express shock and amazement. However, those who self-identify as “frequent churchgoers” or as “people who spend time in the Word of God” (my choice of phrase) are not surprised by such a conclusion.
Some details from the Gallup Poll:
- Only 34 percent of U.S. adults assess their emotional well-being as “excellent” compared to 43 percent who reported the same in 2019.
- Mental health of Republicans dropped 15%, as only 41 % reported being in “excellent” condition
- Mental health of Democrats currently – 29% rate themselves as in “excellent” condition
Those with the greatest ratings of mental well-being were attendants of weekly religious services, who were the only sub-group to report a rise in their mental health: from 42% a year ago to 46% now reporting their psyche being in “excellent” shape. That’s still less than half of respondents, but it’s the highest number in the midst of a pandemic winter and the aftermath of a highly contested national election.
More detail on the religious numbers:
- 46% of weekly service-goers said their mental condition remained excellent
- 35% of those who said they attended services either nearly weekly or monthly said so
- 29% of those who said they never went to religious services reported “excellent” mental condition
OK, here goes. You can skip to the next paragraph if you’re tired of social media “putdowns.”
- Let that sink in
- Can I get an Amen?
- Just sayin’
- Exactly
If you attend worship on a regular basis, either in-person or online; if you spend regular time in the Word, you don’t need a Gallup poll to confirm what you already know:
- "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Jesus in Matthew 5:6).
- "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Jesus in Luke 11:28)
- “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (David in Psalm 51:8-12)
- “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
- “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
And finally, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)
Worship is certainly good for your mental health. But it’s especially good for your emotional and physical and spiritual health. See you this weekend – in-person or online – for more building of the psyche/soul!
In Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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