Do I have to believe in God to heal?

When I was a teeanger, I thought I was an atheist. If anything had to be done, I’d rely on myself to do it. I wasn’t open to the idea of a higher power or that there was anything else to support me.

This contracted thinking is the antithesis of a healing mindset.

But how can we shift into an open and receptive relationship with a higher power, especially if we have religious trauma?

If you were taught to fear God because you’d be punished if you were ‘bad’, then it would make sense that you may not want anything to do with that God.

But, the reality is that people who relate to a higher power of any kind heal more easily, and it may not be as far-fetched as you might think.

Many people who identify as non-believers live in connection with something greater, they just don’t call ‘it’ God or a higher power.

Nature lovers often fall into this category. They love being in the stillness of nature but they don’t associate that special feeling they get with anything greater.

How you conceive of ‘it’ doesn’t really matter. The important thing is that you’re able to connect to something that’s larger than yourself to nourish, inspire and sustain you.

If you’re winding your way through any kind of healing journey, you’re going to encounter some pain along the way.

When we’re living without an awareness of greater connection, we’re more apt to resist the pain that asks for our presence. When we’re alone, physical or emotional pain can feel like too much.

With the support of something greater, we’re aware that even though our pain feels massive to us, our pain is so small to God, the river, the trees or to whomever we call on to hold us. With support, we can surrender and allow ourselves to be held through our pain.

I find myself helping people learn how to let themselves be supported. It’s not what I set out to do but it’s a beautiful part of healing through presence.