How would you feel if a loving God took a personal interest in you?<\/p>\n
Pretty darn good, according to a growing body of research revealing the mental health benefits of having a close personal relationship with a caring divinity.<\/p>\n
In one of the latest national studies, the more participants reported feeling God\u2019s love, presence and guidance, the more likely they were to agree they are a person of worth.<\/p>\n
Frequency of prayer, or even being \u201cborn again,\u201d were not of themselves significantly related to higher self-esteem.<\/p>\n
But worship attendance, prayer and the specific act of committing their lives to Christ all were related to higher self-esteem<\/a> when individuals reported a close relationship with a divine being who cared about them.<\/p>\n Having what some sociologists have called \u201cthe ultimate friend\u201d on their side appears to make a big difference when it comes to self-respect and self-worth, study authors indicated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n