(ThyBlackMan.com) Have you ever engaged a person in conversation and asked about their well-being and they replied, ‘Under the circumstances, I’m doing ok’? I can’t remember how many times I’ve heard that, but it occurred to me recently that we are not divinely designed to live ‘under’ any of our circumstances!
Whether it’s a bad economy, a toxic relationship or the consequences of bad choices, we are wired to rise above any obstacle in our path! The question is how do we live above the circumstances? If we listen to pop culture, we’d believe that the key to remaining happy and fulfilled is accumulation: of 
money and material goods. But, given the high rate of depression, suicide and nervous breakdowns in our society, it has become apparent that material things do not keep us happy, nor do they make us happy.
Study after study has found one correlating factor in the lives of happy people: a well-grounded spiritual belief system. It is said that the main reason palm trees don’t succumb to the violent winds of hurricanes is because the roots of a palm tree do much deeper than most other trees. The result is they bend but they don’t break!
What we believe and how much we cling to it pretty much determines how much wind we can stand. One thing for sure: faith plays an undeniable role in how we respond to life’s challenges. Consider these three findings on the issue:
The scholar Patrick Glynn points to research showing that a well-grounded spiritual lifestyle is good for both our physical and mental well-being. Studies dating back to the 1990’s suggest a credible relationship between good mental health and a positive, spiritual outlook on life.
Several studies have found that high levels of faith commitment correlate with lower levels of depression and stress, and give us a greater ability to cope with stress.
Those with well-grounded belief systems consistently report greater overall happiness and satisfaction with life and are generally more positive about life.
A large-scaled study found that people who did not attend church were four times more likely to commit suicide than were frequent attendees.
So what does all of this mean for us individually? Don’t let your circumstances define who you are! Look at whatever obstacle you are facing as an opportunity for success.
What is it you believe? Do you believe that you were created to be successful and prosperous? Most importantly, do you believe that your sustenance is connected to a Higher Power than you? I do. And that belief, not the things around me, keeps me anchored through my darkest moments in life.
