Religious belief and piety promote self-control. That's the conclusion of two University of Miami psychologists after reviewing eight decades of research. Their findings were published in a recent issue of the Psychological Bulletin and reported on by The New York Times (December 30, 2008).

”When you add it all up, it turns out there are some remarkably consistent findings that religiosity correlates with higher self-control,” says Michael McCullough, one of the psychologists involved in the research. Religious people, he explains, are self-controlled not simply because they fear God's wrath, but because they've absorbed the ideals of their religion into their own system of values.

For many, however, this theory is nothing new. It has long been the belief and foundation for the work of Christian rescue missions that provide Christ-centered programs to help chronically homeless and addicted men and women overcome self-destructive behaviors and build new lives. Dan Doty, executive director of City Union Mission, has seen the evidence firsthand. "We've had many guests tell us they've tried other programs but haven't had the success that they've had here. And they believe it's the Christian focus that makes the difference."

Doty shares the story of a 38-year-old man named Chris who participates in City Union Mission's Christian Life Program. Chris had tried several times to overcome his alcohol addiction but would return to drinking. “AA meetings were the closest to church I had ever been to before coming here,” Chris explained. “The different environment and the Christian atmosphere make a difference. This is a "camp of faith."” Another man in the program, 22-year-old Tim, agreed. “The Bible studies really help out a lot in terms of giving you Biblical, scriptural basis on how you should live and what God has in mind for you."

"It looks as if people associate religion with tapping down on temptations," McCullough concludes. "When temptations cross their minds in daily life, they quickly use religion to dispel them from their minds."

You Are God's Plan for the Poor or Homeless!