When we get caught up in the emotional waves of life that can be caused by the exciting expectations of a new opportunity, the giggity feeling we get from a new relationship, or the feeling of drowning in the fears of what tomorrow may bring, we are often forgetting the age-old adage passed down by generations in our community: this too shall pass.
In this article, we explore 5 ways a spiritual shift of perspective will change your life into one where you can choose joy in any moment, no matter the emotional weather.
- An Enhanced Sense of Purpose
At the core of any spiritual pursuit lies the concept of purpose – the idea that we are here for a reason greater than ourselves – and by letting go of our own self-seeking behaviors and thought life, we find answers from the Ultimate Authority who is only able to be heard when we shut up.
- Spiritual Guidance Found in Daily Habits
Whether it’s spending just a few minutes each morning in quiet reflection of the day ahead and the people you may see, reading spiritually enlightening books and journaling, or seeking three people every day you can help, these simple acts ground us in the belief that we are part of something much larger than ourselves and give God the chance to speak to us and work through us.
- Finding Purpose Through Connection
A thought pattern I adopted from Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements, and later deepened my understanding through studying the life of Christ, is the idea that each person I meet throughout the day is “me in another life,” or is God in the flesh in front of me. The idea is feeling connection with every human on the planet and treating them as if they are yourself, and in doing so, you are serving God Himself with kindness.
- Increased Resilience
Life is often fraught with challenges, ranging from personal crises to global pandemics. These struggles can test our mental and emotional fortitude and often push our limits of resiliency in the face of fear. Turning our thoughts away from the crisis of the moment and turning them back towards the Infinite Power of the Universe reminds us of our pursuit of serenity: letting go of what we cannot control, changing what we can, and knowing the difference.
- Faith As a Lifeline
“God will never give you more than you can handle,” – if this were true, why would we ever need God? In those moments it feels like everything is crashing down on your head and there is nothing you can do to fix the situation you are in, a pause with God and deepening your faith in those moments, becomes a lifeline for a lifetime of comfort, and is a muscle those seeking a spiritual life will consistently grow.
- Practices That Ground and Center
When seeking a spiritual perspective in the face of life’s difficulties, you build a spiritual toolkit available in the hardest times. During my life in recovery, one way I gauge my progress is the amount of time it takes me to remember to pick up the tool box; it works the same today as it ever did and I try to waste as little time as possible.
- Improved Mental Health
Let’s go, for a moment, from spiritual to scientific: studies have shown individuals who regularly engage in spiritual practices report lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Whether it’s the calming effect of prayer and meditation, or the community support at church, the benefits of a spiritual perspective on mental health are incontrovertible.
- Prayer and Meditation as Remedy
Praying into situations where we feel fear entering calms our thought pattern from worry to faith. Practicing meditation where thoughts are paused for just a moment in time, allow the thoughts of God to come in and remind us who we are.
- Community and Support Networks
Church communities and spiritual fellowships offer a network of support that can be crucial for those struggling with mental health issues and addiction. The sense of belonging and social support found in these groups is a cheat code to connect with Divine help quickly.
- Stronger Relationships
Spirituality teaches compassion, empathy, and a sense of connection with others. By speaking in spiritual terms with spiritual people, we find ourselves having conversations with more meaning and connections with more depth.
- Empathy Through Shared Experience
When seeking connection with others through a spiritual lens, we often notice people will share experiences they have been through in the perfect moment to teach us a lesson we needed for our own lives.
- Love and Understanding
You cannot love God without loving people. When I truly understood the love of God for me and the grace-gift of love He has for me, it became impossible not to understand that same Love He wants me to demonstrate to others for Him.
- Lifestyle Changes
Whether it’s giving up harmful habits like drinking, smoking or doing drugs, or adopting healthy practices like exercise, reading and meditation, respecting our body as a vessel of our Spirit within will automatically increase our resolve for change.
- Addiction Recovery and Spirituality
Many peer recovery programs incorporate spiritual practices as a means of finding purpose and combating the cycle of addiction. Such programs focus on connecting with others, making amends, and living a life that is congruent with one’s values and beliefs. A life in recovery without spiritual wisdom, to me, seems not only impossible, but pointless.
- Nurturing the Mind, Body, and Spirit
When adopting a spiritual perspective, the mind, body, and spirit should all be taken into consideration. Practices like mindful stretching, silent walks with God, and journaling will find you in a new place in your spiritual walk.
Final Thoughts from The Author
When all my ideas failed to help me get off drugs that were killing me – the God idea worked. When I thought I would die from my mental health issues in my recovery – the God idea worked. And when I needed to know why I was here and what I was supposed to do about it, God told me my mission was to help addicts find hope and recovery with Recovered On Purpose. I hope these ideas give some insight into your own life and how a spiritual perspective in any moment will improve your life immediately.
Adam Vibe Gunton is the bestselling author of From Chains To Saved, Founder of Recovered On Purpose, and expert presenter on the topic of relapse prevention and storytelling. He has been published in Treatment Magazine, Recovery Today Magazine, and The Good Men Project.
Published By: Aize Perez
