An Associated Press release dated December 2, 2008 reports findings of a joint study funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the New York Psychiatric Institute. The startling conclusion: one in five young American adults has a personality disorder that interferes with everyday life. When abuse of alcohol and drugs are factored in, the study found that nearly half of the young people surveyed have some sort of psychiatric condition. According to Columbia University's Dr. Marc Olfson, co-author of the study, the circumstances of young adulthood can result in stress that triggers the start or recurrence of psychiatric problems.

Some may debate the specific findings of the study. For example Dr. Jerald Kay, a psychiatry professor at Wright State University who was not involved in the study, suggested that the condition of personality disorder may be overdiagnosed. There are those who say the condition of young adults is no worse than it's ever been, that it's just that now there's a study that attempts to quantify their emotional state. Meanwhile, other experts said the results of the study weren't surprising, compared to evidence suggested by previous less scientifically rigorous surveys.

There's no denying that the stress, struggles and confusion of life in this troubled world take a terrible toll. Lacking a moral foundation, many of our nation's young adults - "the leaders of tomorrow" - have lost their way.

But it's not just young adults. People in general are sincerely searching for but unable to find the way that brings inner peace, stability and genuine success. Proverbs 14:12 says that, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Many have lost their way and stumbled into disaster, not knowing that what they lack is a spiritual dimension.

When we consider the condition of the world around us, it helps us more deeply appreciate the incredible blessing of God's calling. Through the Holy Spirit we can have understanding, hope and faith (Ephesians 1:16-17). Through God's Spirit we can have a strong, balanced, stable, disciplined mind (2 Timothy 1:7). We're freed from the false values and empty ways of the world so we can invest in spiritual treasure (Matthew 6:19-21) and in God's Kingdom (verse 33). The light of God's Word directs our way along the path of life (Psalm 119:105).

We still must deal with the stress and pressure of life. Our "way" isn't an easy path (Matthew 7:13-14). But with God's help it's a much easier and more satisfying way than the destructive life of emotional confusion.

Don Henson