07/09/2025
"The Power of Faith and Belief"
By Jason Hall
You don’t have to be religious to benefit from faith. Science shows that belief in something greater than yourself can be a powerful tool for mental and emotional well-being.
Faith literally reduces stress. Studies show that people who report a strong sense of meaning or spiritual belief have lower levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress.
Translation? Faith helps your brain pump the brakes on panic. It improves emotional regulation by activating the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which helps you pause before spiraling. It builds psychological resilience by reminding you that you’re not at the center of every catastrophe. Whether you believe in God, the universe, karma, or cosmic duct tape, faith acts as a buffer against hopelessness.
Acts of spiritual reflection can trigger the same brain regions involved in feelings of safety and joy. And faith often leads to rituals or conversations with others, building the connections that are crucial for well-being.
Here’s the kicker: You don’t have to get it right. Wobbly faith counts. Uncertain, whispered-in-a-closet faith is still valid. Half-hearted “Okay, Universe, I trust you … kinda” mutterings are welcome here.
Big transformations feel great in theory but hard in practice. That’s why I’ve learned to embrace what I call “micro-faith”—those small, digestible moments of intentional belief. Like appetizers for your spirit.
Today, try believing in something small:
The possibility of a good cup of coffee
The strength hiding inside your own weird little heart
The fact that what you need might already be on its way
The idea that this difficult season won’t last forever
The chance that tomorrow might feel a little lighter
Faith doesn’t have to be grand or glowing. Sometimes it’s just showing up anyway, even when you’re not sure why.
Faith isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up. Showing up to your life, to your relationships, to your own healing, even when you feel completely unprepared.
If your faith feels fractured, fuzzy, or faint, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just human. Faith isn’t a finish line. It’s a floating device. It won’t always steer you straight, but it might keep you above water long enough to find the shore.
So go ahead and believe in something today. Even if it’s just the idea that the clouds will eventually clear … and the coffee won’t taste burnt this time.
(Excerpts from a longer article at tinybuddha.com/blog/micro-faith-huge-benefits-reasons-to-believe-in-something-bigger/)
Artwork by Lucy Campbell
Thanks to Pam Younghans for the post
