New American Bible Society research also finds that hardship often drives people toward Scripture.
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – A new American Bible Society report suggests that Americans who believe they have found their calling experience stronger levels of purpose, health, relationships, and overall well-being.
The July chapter of the State of the Bible USA 2026 report found that 54% of respondents with a strong sense of calling also scored high on its Human Flourishing Index. By contrast, 54% of those with a weak sense of calling recorded low flourishing scores.
Researchers said a sense of calling was more closely associated with human flourishing than any other variable examined in the survey, including measures of faith and Scripture engagement. However, the report also found that Bible engagement plays a powerful role in helping people endure major life disruptions. SOTB-2026-07-Final.pdf
About 70% of Americans agreed to some degree that calling is a spiritual experience. That figure rose to 94% among practicing Christians. Scripture-engaged Americans also reported a substantially stronger sense of calling than those classified as Bible-disengaged.
The study found that younger Americans remain the most likely to be searching for their purpose. Adults ages 18 to 22 received the highest “searching for calling” score, while respondents in their late 40s and early 50s showed a noticeable midlife increase in that search.
Hardship also appeared to push many Americans toward God’s Word. Bible use was higher among people who had recently experienced divorce, unemployment, serious illness, natural disaster, or the death of someone close to them. Among divorcees, for example, Bible use reached 53%, compared with 38% among those who had not experienced divorce.
The report concluded that Scripture does not shield believers from trouble, but gives them strength, direction, and hope as they walk through it—and reminds Christians that their first calling is to follow Christ and faithfully serve others.
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