Doing for Others makes you Glad
Psalm 19:17 Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they an see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:42 Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.
John 15:12 Love one another just as I have loved you.
Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ
Philippians 2:4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.
Hebrews 13:16 Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices
James 2:14-17 My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, ‘Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal?’ What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.
1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
I have noticed my happiness feels more pronounced when I am doing for others—rather than concentrating on me and my wants, desires or worries. As a child, I enjoyed buying small gifts for family or friends, and times times made me feel happy. It was satisfying to volunteer working with children who had neuro handicaps and then as a candy striper in the afternoons.
Volunteering in some area or doing something as simple as opening or holding a door for someone else is an act of kindness. There are so many ways we can do things for others—helping with childcare, volunteering to do some errands for someone you know can’t get out, helping walk or care for pets, delivering some meals to a family struggling with an illness…there are so many ways to help others, and take us out of our selfish, self-centered ways.
I realize many people nowadays think of ‘number one,’ and mean themselves. But truly I get such satisfaction when I reach out to help others. My life seems abundantly better when I acknowledge there is more to this world than ‘me, my, mine.’ I try to always keep my number one as God. Frequently people often think of themselves and their own families first and foremost. Many think they are in charge of all their outcomes–they are responsible for their own success, happiness and when feel pressured, are unable to just relax. They run to things to try to bury stress, anxiety, and or fear.
Pondering our troubles and worries keeps them uppermost in our minds and poisons us from spotting others’ needs, real needs, in this world. It prevents us seeing how very blessed we are, often while others near us, are not. It’s frequently easy to think we are the most important part of life. . . but it is humbling to see how blessed we may be compared to many others.
Some have suffered lost limbs, neurological deficits, continued pain, paralysis, the loss of child(ren), and so many other losses. So many suffer such pain, yet put themselves out there; not staying huddled in their home, locked in their misery, and just worried about themselves. They are out there to help and serve others.
Over the years, I can see some growth becoming less selfish, more kind, and more helpful so that I am not wrapped up in me and mine. I am blessed I can see the growing of self, and pleased that I am a work in progress. If you give to others less fortunate, your own problems seem much less problematic and more like a part of everyday life. Look beyond yourself and reach out to help in any way you can. You’ll be pleased with how much better you feel. But to reach out to others, to give some time, small gift or bake a cake or casserole, helping with groceries when someone is ill or laid up. It is fulfilling to lend a hand to others. And it is what God wants all of us to do for others. It is a sign of loving–giving oneself and helping someone who needs it. For me, it helps my selfish heart remember I can be so self-centered and selfish, and being able to help with a need, makes me feel more like I want to become. I can recognize that the Holy Spirit has helped me expand out of my own world of me, and have grown to become a better person.
Lord, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit so I can be nudged to grow in the right directions–according to Your will for me. Thank You for choosing me, for being patient with my growth and for being with me and ‘mybellaviews.’
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