Labour MP Sarah Smith has said her Christian faith helps her cope with the pressures of political life, giving her freedom to make decisions without feeling that everything depends on her.

Speaking on Premier's A Mucky Business with Tim Farron, the MP for Hyndburn was asked whether her Christian faith made her job easier or harder. She said she finds it “incredibly reassuring” to know that God is ultimately in control.

“God calls us to use the talents that He’s given us and to use them for His kingdom in the best way that we can, and He prepares the good works for us. But also, His plan will come to pass anyway,” she said.

Smith said this helps when she feels overwhelmed or regrets missing events because of her parliamentary workload.

“So when I get up and feel a little bit overwhelmed, or regret that I couldn’t make something, I just know that actually, He’s got it covered,” she said.

“And that, I think, gives us such a freedom as Christians in this job to make the decisions, to not have too much FOMO [Fear Of Missing Out], frankly, and to crack on and keep taking the steps forward.”

The MP, who was elected in Labour’s 2024 landslide, has previously spoken about how her Christian faith developed after growing up outside the Church.

She came to faith through relationships with Christians, Bible study and the Christianity Explored course, and was baptised in her mid-20s.

Smith said she now sees her position in Parliament as part of God’s purpose for her.

“When I wonder, ‘What on earth is this? How did I end up here? Am I supposed to be here?’ I look back, and I just see every door that God opened,” she said.

“God had a plan, and He made it possible.”

She said her faith does not remove the responsibilities of being an MP, but gives her confidence as she faces them.

“I think in all of it, I definitely would say it makes it easier,” she said.

Smith currently serves as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Education Minister Lucy Powell.