“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” Philippians 2:3-4 (The Message)

This instruction from the Bible is challenging: because if we’re honest with ourselves, in almost every situation our first thought, either conscious or sub-conscious is, how will this affect me?  

In emergency situations that’s a necessary reaction; for example, the airlines tell us if a flight hits turbulence and the oxygen masks fall, you need to fit yours first before helping others.

However, in day-to-day situations, unfortunately our reactions can tend to be selfish.

God wants us to try and rise above this basic instinct. His son, Jesus, taught the same thing about helping others and he ‘practiced what he preached’ when he allowed himself to die a most horrible death to help all of us.

Ironically, psychology studies are now telling us that helping others is beneficial for us too! You can read the full article here: https://cae.edu.sg/can-helping-others-make-you-feel-happy/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20studies%20have%20found,relaxed%20feelings%20by%20releasing%20dopamine.&text=Additionally%2C%20helping%20others%20can%20boost,esteem%20and%20sense%20of%20purpose.

Here’s an extract: “In fact, studies have found that people who volunteer regularly have lower rates of depression and live longer, healthier lives. Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine. Additionally, helping others can boost your self-esteem and sense of purpose.”

The more you read the Bible, the more you find guidance about living in a way that benefits all people. Definitely worth a look!