Top 4 Benefits of Being a Christian

God Changes Your Perspective

When you become a Christian and realize the world around you is lost without Jesus, your life gets put into a proper perspective. Your priorities, your problems and your outlook totally change when you discover the purpose of life. That 2 Corinthians verse demanding every thought come captive to Christ sounds like some Jedi mind trick, ‘til it actually happens to you. You see people, yourself, and life, differently, and the things that bothered you or consumed your thoughts, slowly diminish. You listen to neighbors flipping out when crabgrass infiltrates their lawn, or friends complaining about the quality of their gel pedi, and you realize you’re different now. Christians obviously get upset or angry from time to time, but on the whole, you operate in a new awareness that life is fleeting and we’re meant for eternity, making it a bit less likely you’ll seek therapy after the wifi freezes for an hour.

You’re Free to be You

Another huge change and benefit Christians notice once coming to the Lord is a new freedom from caring what others think. Before being saved, I was a slave to myself, addicted to caring about my appearance, my dress size, my social status, and gag me. Gag me again. Of course this mindset wasn’t out of self-adoration, it resulted from low self-worth and a need for love and acceptance I would never find at Nordstrom. When my heart felt the power of unconditional love of God, I stopped caring about keeping up the front, and learned to value myself on the whole, because I came at a price. I still might talk to myself like a borderline sociopath, but darn it, He loves me. I have this theory that when you fall in love with God, you actually learn to love yourself. Not in a narcissistic, selfie-posting kind of way, but you realize God made you intentionally, and loves you whether you’re an awkward, ’97 Honda Civic –driving loner with 20 pounds to loose, or not. Post that.

Peace Beyond Pilates

About 40 million people suffer with anxiety and depression in the US. That’s messed up. Every Christian worries about their life from time to time-it’s normal, and some have been diagnosed with anxiety, but there is no denying God offers a sense of supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding. We’ve all seen that scripture on some wall decor, but when you really feel that peace for the first time-that authentic assurance that God’s in control of your life, you get it. It’s priceless, especially in a world where people are so desperately seeking that “Zen” state of mind-whether through meditation, self-help books or deep breathing in a downward dog during hot yoga. I used to worry and freak out about every aspect of life…”will I make my deadline, will he call me back, did I make the right decision,” but now thank the Lord I have an inner peace I wouldn’t trade for a million “Namastes.”

No Matter What, God Has Your Back

Sadly, there’s now a 50 percent chance our marriage might end in divorce. Friends come and go, and often let us down, and our kids will eventually move out and begin their own lives. Okay that was depressing to write, and God-willing we’ll enjoy satisfied lives surrounded by people we love, but it’s still a great treasure realizing that God-the maker of the heavens- is with me-a mother with tragic domestic skills-at all times, no matter what. “God is always with you” used to sound like a patronizing slogan in the Hallmark aisle until I actually came to know Him and sensed his presence everywhere, not just in church. He might escape me on Monday nights during ladies Zumba hour, but really, who could blame.