Today I'm releasing the third in a series of videos that profile recent research about what it takes to live happy, well-adjusted lives. This series is based on a meta-study done in 2020 by the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. 

 

For years people in the recovery community have emphasized the need for people to forge healthy connections with God (their "Higher Power") and other people if they want to get and stay sober. 

 

Although much recent research is getting attention that links addiction to trauma, other research also points to alienation and disconnection (which I briefly mention in the video). I would love to see more research done on the connection and interplay between these two. I suspect it would show that people can overcome significant trauma if they have strong spiritual and interpersonal connections. When trauma comes into the life of someone who is alienated and disconnected, then (literally) all hell breaks loose.

 

And of course, what is true of addiction and recovery is also true of other forms of mental struggle -- such as anxiety and depression.

 

I'm also taking the fairly unusual step of including a link to a recent sermon I preached. I don't plan to do this very often! It's just that this is sort of a "hot topic" right now, and I am not hearing enough people talk about it. We must not let our churches become captive to political or social ideologies, for many reasons. In this sermon I try to make the case that, while it's a hassle, our diversity on these issues has great value for our spiritual lives.

 

Have a great week!

• uncertainty about whether you're making a difference
• discouragement in the face of problems and disappointing results

I don't know what it's like for you, but in our community, we're feeling the tension between different political and social ideologies. I don't do this often, but I'm going to share the video of the sermon I gave this past Sunday on this topic. The title should tell you where I'm going with this: "The Gift of Uncomfortable Community." I argue that the from the very beginning -- from the selection of the disciples to the early church -- God intentionally put people from different social and political together, and the friction this creates turns out to be really helpful for our spiritual growth. 

 

As usual, I included some quotes in the sermon, but I'm also adding a few more, for your benefit. (The video below is the full live-stream of our service. The sermon starts at 35:53.