Doing “Good Works” Can Help Heal Anxiety and Depressive Disorder
Scripture teaches a similar principle: Isaiah 58 rebuked those who worship outwardly but ignore the needy; their fasting and prayers are unanswered because compassion was absent. These were hypocrites who only cared for themselves and what other people said. But with genuine compassion to care for others—spiritual healing will emerge.
“To Deal Thy Bread”
“Share your food” in (Isaiah 58:7) literally means “break bread”—from the Hebrew paras (פָרֹס), meaning to divide or share. In the New Testament, bread was broken and given to others (Matthew 26:26; Acts 20:11; Acts 27:34). God created us to do good works, and doing good helps heal anxiety and depression.
Prosocial Behavior Study
Although Isaiah 58 refers to “healing,” it speaks of spiritual restoration and covenant blessing, not clinical therapy. Scientifically, volunteering and acts of kindness are associated with higher positive affect, greater life satisfaction, and lower depressive symptoms, although not with clinical treatment of chronic disorders such as schizophrenia (Stephen G. Post, International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2005; Raposa et al., Clinical Psychological Science, 2016).
Chemical Effects of an Altruistic Act
Research also shows that spirituality is linked to depression, which explains why helping others often reduces distress and improves mood. Studies note that altruistic acts trigger endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine—chemicals linked to lower stress and improved mood. “People with high spirituality, intrinsic religiosity, and religious affiliation consistently show a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms” (Wilkinson & Johnson, 2021).
Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7
Is it not to share your food (deal thy bread, KJV) with the hungry and to shelter the poor wanderer, when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.”
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SCHIZOPHRENIA?
God Calls Us to Do Good Works
God calls us to do good works, but good works are not what bring us to heaven. Saint Paul teaches that we are saved by grace, not by works, and that we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:8–10). This shows that good works are the result of salvation, not its cause.
Even the act of receiving Christ—confessing and accepting the greatest gift—is not a work and does not contribute to what Christ has already accomplished. Salvation rests entirely on Christ’s finished work and is God’s gift; therefore, no one can boast of having contributed to it (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:27).
Ephesians 2:8–9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Science: Helping Others Makes Us Feel Happier
Positive feelings are associated with helping others (social volunteering) because they feed the psychological needs of both parties. [Psychology Today]
Interestingly, science shows that helping others makes us feel better emotionally. Thus bringing us to a path of healing. These can include feeding the homeless, mission work, or helping the elderly. Doing so triggers the brain to produce certain hormones that, in turn, make us feel happy; however, our actual intention matters.
Sin Feeds Anxiety: Deal With It!
Anxiety can also stem from disobedience or wrong choices that trouble the conscience. John MacArthur teaches that anxiety is ultimately rooted in unbelief: “If you want to relieve your anxiety, deal with your sin; anxiety is the sin of distrusting the promises, the power, and the providence of God” (Philippians 4:6–7, Curing Anxiety, 1983). He adds, “Anxiety is not a weakness. It is a sin.” When sin is confessed and surrendered, peace follows.
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