#mental health – Kingdom Influencer

The Power of Prayer

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 Nicole Luallen

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Prayer stands as a vital cornerstone for believers. As a Christ follower, prayer goes beyond a mere religious ritual; it is an intimate connection with God that shapes our hearts, minds, and lives. Today, we will discuss the profound significance of prayer and explore how it enriches our relationship with God, transforms us from within, and empowers us to impact the world around us.

Prayer is our direct line to God.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)
Prayer serves as a channel for communing with our Heavenly Father. In prayer, we can share the desires of our hearts, our needs, and the deepest parts of who we are with our Creator. Prayer is our direct line, and who better to call than Jesus?!

Prayer brings us closer to God.
“Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8)
Prayer strengthens our relationship with God, builds our trust in Him, and creates intimacy—a truly personal relationship. In the presence of God, we have a deep sense of belonging. And a profound love. I heard a lady in church say, “God already loves us; we have to fall in love with Him.” That resonated with me. I only here recently started telling God, “I love you.” And it is because I feel in love with Him.

Prayer improves mental health.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
The Bible teaches us to cast all our worry, anxiety, and care on the Lord. “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22). In this life, we are going to have troubles, but God will never “let us be shaken.” If you want to learn more about faith and mental health, you can read about it in my previous post. https://nicoleluallen.wordpress.com/2023/05/12/how-faith-improves-health/

Prayer will align us with God’s will.
Prayer plays a pivotal role in discerning God’s will for our lives. By seeking His guidance, we gain clarity, direction, and wisdom in our decisions. Prayer helps us to surrender our plans and walk in accordance with His. We learn in the word of God; we are to ask for His guidance, wisdom, and discernment. I have learned that when my desires, talents, and dreams are aligned with glorifying God and building the Kingdom, I have the most fulfillment and joy. “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

In conclusion, prayer is nourishment to our souls. Just as water sustains our bodies, prayer feeds our soul. “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) Prayer gives us connection, communication, intimacy, peace for our minds, purpose, and direction. Let us embrace the power of prayer and cultivate a prosperous, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. With Christ, we are made new, and we are whole.

How Faith Improves Health

May 12, 2023 Nicole Luallen

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

Research has shown that having faith can significantly impact a person’s overall health and well-being. While there are controversies regarding faith and health, much evidence suggests that faith can positively affect physical, mental, and social health outcomes. To make it personal, during a difficult time in my life, my faith in God was the anchor that kept me holding on. (You can read about my deliverance in my previous blog post https://nicoleluallen.wordpress.com/2023/05/07/just-hold-on/)
So how does faith improve your health, you ask? This blog post aims to bring to light the connection between faith and a person’s overall health and well-being.

Stress Reduction

One of the most significant ways faith can improve health is by reducing stress. Engaging in faith-based practices such as prayer, meditation, and attending church has been proven to lower stress hormone levels in the body. Psalm 1:2-3 teaches us that if we meditate on God’s word day and night, we will be “like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” Focusing on God shifts our perspective and takes our minds off worldly thinking into Kingdom thinking.

A study published in the ‘Journal of Behavioral Medicine’ found that people who attend church services regularly had lower cortisol levels, a stress-related hormone.

In addition, faith provides comfort and hope in difficult times, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. People with a strong belief in God often report feeling more resilient and better at coping with stress.

2. Mental Health

Faith can also have a positive impact on mental health. Studies have shown that people who strongly believe in God are less likely to experience depression and anxiety. God’s word reminds us that worry and fear do not come from God. If you are reading this and struggle with mental health issues, know you are not alone. I wrestled with anxiety for a significant portion of my life. And have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. My life became much lighter when I fully surrendered to Christ and gave Him all my baggage. There are numerous stories in the Bible of people who also suffered from similar issues. As we become familiar with the word and its teachings, we can walk those out in our everyday lives, thus transforming our minds. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

1 Peter 5:7 teaches us to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Worship and anxiety can not exist in the same place. When worry steps in, count your blessings. Fully trusting in God, knowing that He has a plan and a purpose for your life, is extremely important for mental health. A study published in the ‘Journal of Religion and Health’ found that people who reported a sense of meaning and purpose in life had lower levels of depression and anxiety.

3. Physical Health

Faith can also have positive effects on physical health. For example, studies have shown that people with a strong belief in God are likelier to engage in healthy behaviors. In addition, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have the pleasure of the Holy Spirit. One of the countless delights the Holy Spirit gives us is conviction. In turn, it also helps us to live a healthier lifestyle.

Among other things, faith can provide social support, which is linked to better health outcomes. People who attend church services and activities regularly often have a solid social network of like-minded friends who can provide emotional and practical support during difficult times. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20). A wise man, my father, once told me, “You are the company you keep, and if a relationship is toxic, you love them from a distance.” In doing so, this keeps our lives healthy.

In conclusion, God is our source for a healthy lifestyle. We were created by Him and in His image. His presence is our natural inhabitation. If you take a fish out of the water, it dies. So likewise, when we embody disconnection from God, we die.

Just Hold On

May 7, 2023May 14, 2023 Nicole Luallen

A story about deliverance.

Mental health is not something we should take delicately. About three and a half years ago, something within my mind shifted. Daily I was having these unwanted, intrusive thoughts. These thoughts were so unbelievably heavy and overbearing that I wanted to be invisible. One day my husband entered our bedroom to find me hiding under our bed.
“What are you doing under the bed?” he asked.
“Hiding!” I replied. “Hiding!“

You see, what he or no one else knew was what I was going through. I did not want to share with anyone the thoughts I was having in fear of being admitted to a hospital. I’m a mom and I work a full-time job. I didn’t have time for the psych ward.
I continued to suffer in silence for three long years. Every day I begged God to deliver me. Some days were better than others but every day I suffered. I eventually reached out to a therapist and was diagnosed with PTSD. However, I was never fully honest with my therapist. (Which I do not recommend.) I kept those thoughts between me and God.
I was sexually abused, and the enemy used that horrific time of my life to riddle me with fear, anxiety, and overwhelming panic. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). I was being devoured, or at least it felt that way. Despite that, can I let you in on a little secret GOD ALWAYS WINS!

Just Hold On

Every night I went to bed believing that when I woke up the next day I would be back to “normal.” One night, in prayer, I cried out to God. I said “Lord, how long are you going to leave me like this, how long do I have to live like this? God, how many times do I have to ask You and You do nothing!?” I quietly, in my mind, heard the word “Habakkuk”. I thought what on earth is that, is that in the Bible? Yes, it is! I opened my Bible to Habakkuk and was blown away by the first couple of sentences which read; “How long, Lord, must I call for help but you do not listen? Or cry out “violence”! but you do not save?” (Hab. 1:2)
The Lord was showing me that He did hear me and that He has a plan for my life. If I had a choice, I would have preferred to be delivered on the first day… Not three years later except then I wouldn’t be here sharing this story with you. Looking at it now I am so thankful for what I went through. My relationship with God has been strengthened. My trust in Him is wholehearted, I have a yearning to share the Gospel and the good news of Jesus Christ. And my joy has been made new! “Not only that but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)
My deliverance did come, but “normal” never did. And praise God because I am not the same person. I have been made new!

“Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23