Health Tip Part 7: Serving Others

Jesus was focused on serving other people. He was living a life focused on other people. He wanted His disciples to have the same servant mindset. God’s Word is full of word encouraging us to serve one another, but did you know that serving others can be healthy for you?

Schreier et al. took 100 high school students and had them volunteer weekly and found significant differences in cardiovascular risk markers (Schreier, 2013). Another study looked at motivations behind volunteers finding that those who volunteered with an outward focus or others-oriented reasons had decreased mortality risk, but those with self-oriented reasons had a similar risk to non-volunteers (Konrath, 2012).

Sounds familiar…..

 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. ~ Luke 6:35

The kind of volunteering that is beneficial is what Jesus taught us. There is something about being focused on others that is truly good for us. It is hard to believe that High School students would show any change in their health after volunteering. Volunteering ans serving others really changes us.

It is so beautiful to think about how perfect our Father is that He wanted His children to be blessed when serving others.When we read bible verses about serving it may reveal a different layer of His heart. He cares about your life and brings health to you as you serve others.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ~ 1 Peter 4:10

But the greatest among you shall be your servant.  ~Matthew 23:11

for the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’ ~ Deuteronomy 15:11

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. ~ Luke 6:35

And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
~ Isaiah 58:10

God wants you to use your gifts to serve others. He knows that you have something they need. He designed you to glorify Him.


<3 Jessica

* Keep in mind that you are only a human, you have real needs! It is okay to say no. Set some boundaries to protect your relationships, family time, sleep and quiet time with God.

References:

All Bible verses and NASB

Konrath, S., Fuhrel-Forbis, A., Lou, A., & Brown, S. (2012). Motives for volunteering are associated with mortality risk in older adults. Health Psychology, 31(1), 87.

Schreier, H. M., Schonert-Reichl, K. A., & Chen, E. (2013). Effect of volunteering on risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA pediatrics, 167(4), 327-332.