Finding Happiness in Christ (Series 1)Sample

Happy people are those who help others

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matt 7:12)

Bernard Rimland, a director of the Institute for Research on Child Attitudes, conducted a study of the principle of the Golden Rule. Rimland found that “The happiest people are those who help others.” Everyone involved in the investigation was asked to list the names of 10 people they knew to determine whether they were happy people or not. They read the list again and determined each person on the list as self-centered or unselfish, using the following definition as the definition of selfishness: "a stable tendency to devote one's time and resources to one's interests and well-being – the unwillingness to trouble oneself for the benefit of others." When classifying the results of the investigation, Rimland found that people who were dubbed as happy people were those who were also labeled as unselfish. He wrote that those “whose activities are dedicated to bringing happiness to themselves… will feel less happy than those who strive to make others happy.” Rimland concluded, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”

Reflection: One key to experiencing true happiness that we can find in Jesus is selflessness. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. If you want to be treated that way by others, then do it for others first. In this way, you will experience a heavenly joy that no one else can take away.

True joy comes when you make a positive difference in other people's lives, helping them achieve their goals and dreams.

(Zig Ziglar)