“Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”—Philippians 2:1-4(NIV).
If you have the blues, you’re not alone—political discord, wars and rumors of wars, economic issues, job uncertainties, and health concerns. The list goes on.
The uncertainties we face in today’s world are not new. Each generation faces turmoil and unrest. If we let it, we can be consumed by negative news and social media rants. It’s no wonder we’re drowning in the blues.
But, the Apostle Paul, who had much to complain about, didn’t. Instead, from the prison cell where he was mistreated, Paul beat the blues by focusing on others, not himself. In Philippians 2:3-4, he writes to encourage the Philippians and remind them, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Humility vs. Humbleness
What’s the difference between humility and humbleness? According to Dictionary.com, while both refer to the quality of being modest, humbleness can also “mean the state of being or feeling low in rank.”
For example, Jesus was born in a humble stable and lived simply. However, Jesus also exhibited humility because He had a modest opinion of Himself.
Pastor Rick Warren says, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others.”
Thinking of Others
I was once asked by a family member, “What makes you happy?”
Without hesitation, I replied, “Doing for others.”
Have you ever been sad and stepped outside your circle of despair to help another person? If you have, then you know the change it makes in your well-being. Researchers, documenting the benefits of volunteering, discovered that helping others gives you a well-being boost, giving you a purpose and meaning in life.
Finding Purpose in Life
We weren’t created to be selfish beings, filled with self-importance. Try this experiment. The next time you’re down in the dumps, pay attention to those around you. Does someone need your assistance? Whether it’s running an errand for a neighbor, holding the door open for a stranger whose hands are full, or putting your cart into its proper place in the parking lot, those small things improve your mood.
Recently, as I was entering the UPS store to make some copies, I heard a beautiful voice singing a song of praise. Stopping, I looked around to discover the singer was sitting in her vehicle nearby. Smiling, I said, “You have a beautiful voice. Thank you for sharing it with others.”
After she smiled and thanked me, my mood improved. The stress left my body and I let go of what had been weighing me down. Reaching out to others when you’re feeling blue is the best cure for what ails you.
I always love hearing from my readers. Please e-mail me at carol@carolaround.com with your thoughts or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, contact me at the above e-mail address or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo by BĀBI on Unsplash