Trusting in a Higher Power when dealing with the uncertainties of life
The idea of surrendering worries and placing trust in something greater can foster a sense of peace, promote emotional balance, and even improve physical health outcomes. And this surrender comes about as an end-product of trust. Trust that no matter what happens you’ll be taken care of. Trust that no matter how bad it gets, you can still get through. Trust that even the worse case scenario’s can be dealt with and you have what it takes to get through because your inner power is getting nourishment from that invisible Power Source!
Studies show that spirituality and prayer can have a significant impact on stress reduction and overall healing. A 2009 study published in Journal of Behavioral Medicine (1) found that individuals who engaged in regular spiritual practices experienced lower levels of anxiety and improved mental health. Similarly, a review in The Southern Medical Journal highlighted that prayer and spiritual belief are often associated with better coping strategies in the face of illness and can contribute to enhanced recovery and resilience.
Another 2015 study published in Journal of Religion and Health demonstrated that patients who incorporated spiritual practices in their healthcare regimen had better health outcomes, reporting reduced stress and improved well-being. These studies emphasize the profound connection between the mind, body, and spirit, suggesting that faith and trust in a higher power can help alleviate the psychological burdens of illness and enhance the body’s natural healing processes.
Incorporating spirituality into your health routine—whether through prayer, meditation, or mindfulness—can be a powerful tool to promote healing, reduce stress, and offer hope during challenging times. Consider the example of Sarah (a very typical patient of mine) a mother of two teenagers navigating the complexities of perimenopause, family life, and financial uncertainty. Her husband recently lost his job, and she’s juggling the demands of work, managing a household, and supporting her children through the challenges of adolescence. With mounting stress and uncertainty about the future, Sarah feels overwhelmed, anxious, and emotionally drained.
In this scenario, placing trust in a higher power through prayer or spiritual practices could provide Sarah with a sense of peace and comfort, even when circumstances seem beyond her control. By turning to prayer, Sarah may find relief from the weight of constantly worrying about her family’s future and finances. Trusting in a higher power allows her to release some of that burden, recognizing that she can’t control everything, and that things may unfold in their own time. This mindset can significantly reduce her stress levels, helping her stay emotionally balanced and focused on what she can control—supporting her family and taking care of her health.
Spiritual practices can also help Sarah find strength and hope, giving her a sense of purpose and connection beyond her immediate challenges. In moments of quiet reflection or prayer, she may feel supported, even when the situation remains uncertain. Studies have shown that prayer can foster a sense of resilience, helping individuals like Sarah to stay calm, centered, and optimistic despite difficulties.For Sarah, trust and prayer can be tools for managing her emotional well-being, helping her stay grounded and hopeful in the midst of uncertainty.
Here’s are some prayers you may find helpful as you either 1. consider this practice, 2. re-start your practice or 3. deepen your practice:
Lord, show us favor; we hope in you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress.
— Isaiah 33:2
Sioux Prayer of Healing
O our Father, the sky, hear us
and make us strong.
O our Mother the Earth, hear us
and give us support.
O Spirit of the South,
may we tread your path of life.
O Spirit of the West,
may we always be ready for the long journey.
O Spirit of the North, purify us
with your cleaning winds.
(Native American TraditionThe Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept
The things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
– Reinhold Niebuhr
(Christian Tradition)Thy name is my healing, Oh my God,
And remembrance of Thee is my remedy.
Nearness to Thee is my hope and love for Thee is my companion.
Thy mercy to me is my healing
And my succor in both this world
And the world to come.
Thou, verily, are the All-Bountiful,
The All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
– Baha’u’llah
(Baha’i Faith)Dear God,
Be my Redeemer, my internal Teacher, my divine Physician.
Thank You for Your presence in my life.
I surrender to You all I am, all I think, all I feel and all I have.
You who have the power to work miracles.
You who rule time and space,
please take me in Your arms and hold me.
Dear Lord, please lift me up and heal me.
Cast out of my mind all thoughts that are not of You.
Cast out of me all harsh and critical nature.
Cast out of me all violence and all anger.
Cast out of me all demons from my past.
For I would be made new.
I wish to walk so close to You that we might be as one.
I ask for new life, new mind, new body, new spirit.
Dear God, please come into me and release me from this pain.
– Marianne Williamson
And if you prefer to listen to healing words put to music, here are a few of my favourites:
Hope: “O Thou beloved of my heart and soul! I have no refuge save Thee.”
Trust/confidence: “Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world’s afflictions can in no wise alarm me.”
On Detachment: “Night hath succeeded day, and day hath succeeded night, and the hours and moments of your lives have come and gone, and yet none of you hath, for one instant, consented to detach himself from that which perisheth. Bestir yourselves, that the brief moments that are still yours may not be dissipated and lost.”
Yours In Health,
Dr. Negin
P.S. I’m not promoting any one religious practice over another – for that matter I’m not promoting ANY religious practice! But we do know -and science has irrevocably proven- the necessity of spiritual practices for healing and well-being and as a Naturopathic Doctor whose oath it is “To heal the whole person” I cannot ignore my patients’ spirituality 🙂
Here are the references for the studies mentioned in the blog:
Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. 2009. Spirituality and Health: A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Clinical Practice. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32(6), 612-627.
Levin, J. S. 2007. Southern Medical Journal. Religion and Mental Health: Theory and Research. Southern Medical Journal, 100(4), 430-431.
Koenig, H. G., King, D. E., & Carson, V. B. 2015. Journal of Religion and Health, 54(5), 2049-2060.
