Now isn’t that amazing

The solution to our problems and despair may not be as hard as we imagine.

Let’s say you’re going through a desperate time and have lost your bearings, or are experiencing loss, suffering, grief, or big changes in life, to the point that you question how you’re going to go on.  Sometimes in the midst of problems and hopelessness, you can barely even have faith that God will hear you. What can you do?

There is a wealth of help and counsel on this topic available from a range of sources. However, there is one healing tool that particularly stands out. It repeatedly comes up in the extensive research that has been done on this all-too-common human condition of extreme discouragement. It is exceptional because it is something that not only benefits the one implementing it but also others.

It’s the simple act of giving to others in whatever way one can. This is known to improve mental, emotional, and physical health in measurable and sometimes profound ways.

Studies have been done by numerous institutes, such as the National Institutes of Health, Harvard Business School, and the University of California, Berkeley, and published in such journals as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. One such study found that the areas in the brain that are activated by giving are the same as those that are activated by other positive stimuli—such as in response to sexual pleasure, monetary rewards, enjoying a meal, exercising and a number of other activities. Contributing in some form to help others actually triggers the release of chemicals in the brain called endorphins that are sometimes called “feel good” chemicals because they promote social bonding and a sense of belonging. – Jorge Moll and colleagues at the National Institutes of Health 2006

In another study a researcher found that this principle of reaching out to others who are also suffering had definite, positive benefits for the one reaching out. This applied to people suffering from a range of conditions, including depression, chronic pain, and AIDS. As she expressed it, “When humans help others regardless of a shared condition, they appear to live longer and happier lives.” – Maria E. Pagano, PhD, of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

In another study, Paul Arnstein of Boston College and his colleagues evaluated the effects of volunteering on chronic pain patients. Their findings show that pain, depression, and disability consistently decreased after volunteering.

One researcher discovered some unexpected results in her study of a group of long-term sufferers of multiple sclerosis who made phone calls to encourage others suffering from this affliction. While their calls had some benefits for the recipients of the calls, the greatest beneficiaries were those lending a supportive ear through their calls. In fact, those who offered support experienced dramatic improvements in their quality of life, several times greater than those they were helping.- Carolyn Schwartz, research professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School

When we encourage others, we ourselves are encouraged!

Quotes like the following remind of the biblical principle of how much more blessed it is to give than to receive, and how important a role giving plays—or should play—in our lives.

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. Serve and thou shalt be served.  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own. – Abraham Lincoln

Giving is true having. – Charles Spurgeon

The surest way to have happiness and peace of mind is to give them to somebody else. – Unknown

Kindness is twice blessed; it blesses him who gives and him who takes. – Shakespeare

The remedy for loneliness is to love more. – Unknown

Kindness makes a fellow feel good whether it’s being done to him or by him. For the solution to all your problems, forget yourself and think of others. – Clark A. Frank

You can’t give without getting; you can’t reward without receiving in return. – Unknown

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that waters shall be watered also himself. – Proverbs 11:25

Art thou lonely, O my brother?
Share thy little with another!
Stretch a hand to one unfriended,
And thy loneliness is ended.   – John Oxenham

Forget thyself; console the sadness near thee;
Thine own shall then depart,
And songs of joy, like heavenly vials, shall cheer thee
And dwell within thy heart.   – George Thomas Coster

“My burden is too heavy, Lord,” I tremblingly said.
“I can no longer carry it!” And tears I shed.
Then came a sudden cry for help from one sore pressed
I ran to seek him, gladly gave him of my best.
Then thought I of my heavy burden—but, lo, ’twas gone
The gloom and doubt had vanished quite and Love’s light shone.        – J. F. Gibb

If we spend our lives in loving, we have no leisure to complain, or to feel unhappiness. – Joseph Joubert

Give and it shall be given thee. – Luke 6:38

Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you. – Madeline Bridges

Giving is the secret of a healthy life. Not necessarily money, but whatever man has of encouragement and sympathy and understanding. – John D. Rockefeller Jr

As you give so shall you receive. Contribute more and you will receive more. If you want a stronger rebound, throw the ball harder. – Unknown

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.    – Emily Dickinson

Giving works! God gives us blessings in life not only for our benefit, but so that we can share them with others, and in the sharing we’re blessed yet again. At times we suffer loss, but in that loss there are new blessings—those of sharing the love, the fullness, the happiness that we’ve experienced with others. As we share our blessings with others, they are renewed and continue to live on in our life. – Unknown