Advanced Distress Tolerance Skills: Improve the Moment 39IDENTIFY YOuR HIGHER POWER
... AND MAKE YOuRSELF FEEL MORE PoweRfUl
Whether you believe in one God, many gods, a divine universe, or the goodness that exists within
each human being, having faith in something bigger and more powerful than yourself can often
make you feel empowered, safe, and calm. This is what people mean when they talk about believ-
ing in a “higher power” or seeing “the big picture” in life. Believing in something divine, holy, or
special can help you endure stressful situations as well as help you soothe yourself.
At some point in life, we all feel hopeless or powerless. We’ve all experienced unfortunate
situations during which we felt alone and needed strength. Sometimes unexpected circumstances
hurt us or the people we care about. These situations often include being the victim of a crime,
getting into an accident, having someone close to us die, or being diagnosed with a serious illness.
Having faith in something special during times like these can often help you feel connected to a
bigger purpose in life. And remember, your faith doesn’t have to involve God if that’s not what
you believe in. Some people only put their faith in the goodness of the people they love. Yet basic
beliefs like these are often powerful enough to help people find the strength and comfort to lead
happy, healthy lives.
While you’re exploring your spirituality, remember that your spiritual beliefs can change over
time. Sometimes a person is raised in a spiritual tradition that no longer makes sense or feels
helpful. Yet, despite these feelings, a person will sometimes continue to attend the services of that
tradition because he or she thinks “it’s the right thing to do.” The truth is, if your spiritual tradi-
tion is no longer giving you peace and strength, it’s okay to reexamine that faith and to change
traditions if necessary.
Connect to Your Higher Power
Use the following questions to help you identify your beliefs and to identify some ways in
which you can strengthen and use your beliefs on a regular basis:
What are some of your beliefs about a higher power or a big picture that give you
strength and comfort? Why are these beliefs important to you?