11 Ways Belief In Divine Love May Benefit You
Divine love is often referred to as love from a deity or God you believe in. It isn’t necessarily limited to the Christian faith, as many religions express a concept of divine love, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. Divine love might also be a concept used in spirituality, including Paganism. Ancient Greek scholars considered agape love a divine, unconditional type of love. For those who believe in divine love or faith in a religion or spirituality, this love might have several benefits.
How do you feel divine love?
People may feel divine love in many ways. It could feel like a sense that your God or deity is always watching out for you or that the universe loves and looks after you. The love might feel unconditional, all-encompassing, or powerful. It could drive your actions, cause you to strive for growth, or help you feel less alone in the world. In the Bible, there are several verses about God’s love, such as:
- “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalms 118:1
- “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” John 4:17
In Islam, divine love is referred to as God’s loving qualities that he gave to all humans to show them the love that he felt. Muslims may believe that God is the path to true love. In Judaism, the Book of Songs is a religious text that talks about the love between two individuals and how it can reflect the divine love you might feel between yourself and God.
11 ways divine love can benefit you
No matter what you believe, divine love may have several benefits, including the following.
1. It allows you to feel closer to your religion
As you feel the love of God, the universe, or the spirits you believe in, you may feel closer to your religion. Stanford News reports that having profound faith in a religion can improve your overall physical and mental health. If your religion or belief system is vital to you, divine love can connect you with your faith and remind you why you believe.
2. You may feel safe
Feeling that there is a divine energy of love surrounding you and that you are always loved might make you feel safe. You could feel that no matter what happens in your life, you will still be loved and cared for by God or another deity. You may feel that your faith carries you through challenges and pushes you to keep going.
3. Love can have physical and mental health benefits
Any love can have physical and mental health benefits. Some studies show that love can reduce blood pressure. In the case of divine love, it might not be another human that loves you but someone that feels powerful and divine to you, like God. As a sense of belonging and love is considered a basic need, divine love could still have health benefits.
4. You may feel less alone
If you struggle with relationships in your life or don’t know where to turn when life gets challenging, knowing you believe in divine love could help you feel less alone. You might believe God supports you through your hardships and won’t abandon you. Many verses in religious texts can confirm this ideal, and it may feel comforting. If you feel alone, consider reading through the verses in your religious texts about divine love and unconditional love.
5. You may feel socially connected
Feeling that God or another deity loves everyone unconditionally or that divine love is a part of all of humanity can help you connect with the humanity that all people may feel. It could remind you that others are on a similar journey or that you’re not alone in the world. Connecting with other people from your religion could also remind you that divine love is an experience many individuals have.
6. You may forgive yourself and others
Divine love may help you feel that you can forgive yourself and others for mistakes. If you feel that God forgives all for their misgivings, you may remind yourself of this idea when you feel shameful or guilty. Although making amends for your actions can be beneficial, forgiveness can be a healthy quality in reducing shame.
7. You can feel hopeful
An idea of divine love might make you feel hopeful for your future. If you consistently feel lovable and loved, you may feel that any challenges can be overcome with time. In addition, if you believe in an afterlife, you may feel hopeful that divine love will continue after you leave Earth.
8. It may reduce stress
A medical journal recently published a study on the effects of faith on stress and anxiety and found that faith and religious practices successfully reduced symptoms of both. If you experience stress, reminding yourself of your faith and the divine love you believe in could be valuable.
9. You might feel you have a purpose
Believing in divine love might remind you of the purpose of your belief in a higher power. Try to remind yourself what your religious texts say about the reason for God’s love or the reason for divine love in your belief system. It could be that God wants humans to know that they have a purpose and are a part of Him. Or, there could be another reason that makes sense to you. If you have a religious leader at your place of worship, consider reaching out and asking them what they believe the purpose of divine love is.
10. Your need for love and belonging may be met
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid outlines several human needs that may need to be met to complete self-actualization. The third rung of the pyramid outlines the social need for love and belonging. Feeling divinely loved may meet this need by allowing you to feel that you belong in the world and have a place within your belief system.
11. You can connect with others who also believe in divine love
Although you may have a relationship with God, connecting with others who believe in divine love could meet your other social needs. If you go to church, mosque, or shul, you could try to make friends who also believe in the same concepts. As you connect with others, your sense of divine love could grow.
Counseling in addition to divine connection
Some individuals may struggle to connect to their belief system or not know how to feel the divine love others feel. They may question their beliefs or struggle with symptoms that make them feel unlovable or unworthy of divine love. In these cases, meeting with a religious or faith-based counselor could be beneficial.
Counseling can be done in person or online. Online methods are often preferable to those who face barriers to treatment, such as location, disability, or financial burden. Online counseling allows you to match with a therapist that meets your specific needs. You can indicate a request for a religious or faith-based counselor if you feel most comfortable speaking to someone who understands. In addition, a recent study was done where 71% of participants felt that online counseling was preferable and more effective than traditional in-person therapy.
If you want to meet with a faith-based counselor online, consider a platform like BetterHelp, which offers a matching system where you can match with a therapist that best fits your preferences within 48 hours of signing up.
Takeaway
How is divine love different from human love?
To those religious or believe in a higher power, divine love may differ from love between human beings in that it transcends the limitations of the physical world. By nature, human love is bound by the physical and emotional experiences of human life.
What is the purpose of divine love?
The purpose of divine love can be to provide a sense of hope, meaning, and peace in one's life. It's thought to offer a profound understanding of our existence and our relationship with the divine. Such love can be a source of comfort and solace, helping individuals navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life.
What are the benefits of divine love?
The benefits of divine love are manifold. It can bring about a sense of inner peace and contentment, boost one's self-esteem, and foster a positive response to life's challenges. Such experiences of divine love may offer a sense of purpose and a connection to something greater than ourselves, which might lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
These benefits are only partially theoretical. For example, a 2011 empirical study found that those who believe in divine love may experience physical health benefits. Likewise, a 2004 book from Oxford University Press titled "Character Strengths and Virtues" found mental health benefits like increased positive emotions in those who believe in divine love or a spiritual connection. The scientific study of divine love can be challenging, but present studies are often based on how individuals report one's relationship with the divine.
How do you experience divine love?
Experiencing divine love may vary from person to person, but it often involves a deep, personal connection with a higher power, a loving god, or the universe. Some individuals may find this connection through prayer, meditation, or words of kindness and love towards others. It can be a highly personal and subjective experience.
What is the principle of divine love?
For many, the principle of divine love is rooted in the idea that the love of a higher power is boundless, unconditional, and all-encompassing. Some might say that it transcends time. It encourages individuals to extend such love to others and to live a life filled with compassion, forgiveness, and understanding.
How do you have a relationship with the divine?
Having a relationship with the divine is often a deeply personal journey. It may involve developing one's spirituality and seeking guidance from religious or philosophical teachings.
How do we connect with the divine?
Connecting with the divine often requires faith, belief, and a willingness to let go of ego and anger. It can involve deep introspection, a sense of awe and wonder for the beauty of nature and the universe, and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all life to the extent that it opens one's heart.
How do you interact with the divine?
Interacting with the divine is a profoundly spiritual and personal endeavor for most people. It may involve prayer, meditation, rituals, or acts of service that express one's love and devotion to the divine. It's a journey of self-discovery and a quest for a deeper understanding of the nature of existence.
How do you lead a divine life?
Leading a divine life might mean living in alignment with love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. It may involve striving to be the best version of oneself and cultivating inner peace and contentment that transcends worldly desires and attachments.
What is the gift of divine love?
The gift of divine love might be explained as a profound sense of connection, meaning, and purpose in life. It may provide hope, inner peace, and the understanding that love transcends time and words. For many, it's a source of solace and comfort, offering a deep and enduring sense of fulfillment.
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