This is a simple formula for happiness

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Phil. 2:4 NIV)

This is a simple formula for happiness

Helping others does a number of positive things for you. There are two immediate benefits from helpingothers. First, you feel good because you are helping others, and secondly, others feel good because they are getting help from you. It’s a win-win situation.

Many other benefits

Studies show that when people get involved in helping others, the mesolimbic system, which is the portion of the brain responsible for feelings of reward, is triggered. The brain releases feel-good chemicals and spurs you to perform more kind acts — something psychologists call “helper’s high.”

In a study by United Health Group, 78 percent of people who volunteered to help others over a 12-month period said they felt that their helping activities lowered their stress levels. They were more calm and peaceful than people who didn’t help others.

Kindness is contagious, according to a study by researchers at University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Cambridge and University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. “When we see someone else help another person it gives us a good feeling,” the study states, “which in turn causes us to go out and do something altruistic ourselves.”

But the main reason we should help others is because God told us to

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:4)

When you help others you are helping Jesus!

“’For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matt. 25:35-40)