Welcome back to my blog! We are
exploring together what the Bible says about personal wellbeing. Otherwise, how
can the Bible assist you living a more contented purposeful life?
Last week we began a fascinating discussion
of using our Biblically enhanced wellbeing to help other people. We first emphasized
that our speech should not be used to satisfy primarily our own emotions or
purposes, but to meet the needs of others. That takes some work!
However, to serve God we should turn
our thoughts away from ourselves, as we are able, and reach out to others, not
only using gracious speech, but our actions as well. Amazingly, the service we
provide to others further enhances not only our knowledge of God, but our own
wellbeing as well (Colossians 1:10). In a survey Teleios performed recently at
Grace Community Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, pastored by Dr. Rod
MacIlvaine, we found among over 300 attendees that those who were involved in
church or community service demonstrated greater personal wellbeing (Community Ment Health J 2014;50:577-582).
Why would this be? We do not know
for certain, but we could speculate the following: first, those who serve other
people have the satisfaction of knowing they are meeting the desires of God; second,
their own problems are put into proper perspective not only by perceiving the
suffering of other people but also by ordering their own priorities under God’s;
and lastly, by serving they will focus less on their own troubles perhaps
reducing the emotional burden of these problems.
Of course, the benefit of serving
others is not limited to the person giving but also to the individuals or
communities receiving the help. The benefit of service has been little studied in
the medical literature, to our knowledge, however, we believe
that assistance to communities and giving to individuals promotes a gracious
and courteous culture which allows all to pursue their best.
Consider too that a generous local
community helps people to remove their dependence on state subsistence which
requires taxpayer funding and limits local community action and individual care
for one another. Such dependence on a distant government may result potentially
in a cold and self-focused community.
Thank you for joining me today. I
welcome your comments and questions.
What type of service is the most
important for a church member? To participate in our latest poll question - please
visit our website at http://teleiosresearch.com/#anchorpoll
WC Stewart
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