Giving Joy to Others

Photo by Nina Strehl on Unsplash

Yesterday was a pretty great day. Why? Because, I had the pleasure of helping a friend of mine. She is looking to change career paths and needed some help updating her resume. I offered my services, as I have done a great deal of this sort of thing myself. (If you look at my career history of job-hopping, you will understand why I am a quasi-expert on it.)

I spent my lunch hour re-working her resume—updating it and, hopefully, turning it into a personal branding document that will land her a job in her dream field. I didn’t do anything other than put some skills and knowledge that I already had to good use. And, I just gave her the framework and explained to her how to fill it in for herself. To me, it wasn’t a big deal. But, to her, it was. She told me that she couldn’t thank me enough. I told her to use it to get the job she really wants, and that that would-be thanks enough. And, I meant it too.

I spent the rest of the day feeling pretty good about myself. And, it was all because I helped a kind person who needed it.

Then, this morning, as I was reading my Bible and doing my daily devotional, I came across a verse that made me stop and think. It was Psalm 21:6 which says, “Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.” When I read that, a huge smile spread across my face and I laughed to myself a little. By spending time reading my Bible, I was spending time with God. And—this is the kicker—I made Him glad. I made Him glad. I. Made. HIM. Glad.

Just by doing something that I have gotten into the habit of doing anyway, I made God glad. I gave him joy. This is an amazing revelation to me. As I sit and think about it as I type this, it makes me want to cry. Just knowing that by doing something as simple as reading my Bible brings God joy, well, that’s truly something!

As I look back over my life, even as recently as yesterday, and probably especially because of yesterday, I have realized that giving joy to others makes me happy. Helping others, makes me happy. And, nothing could mean more in the world than to give joy to our maker, Christ our Father.  

So, I am here today to tell you that you need to give it a try. Try helping others. Try reading your Bible. Try spending more time with God. Try to follow in God’s footsteps by loving others as you love yourselves. Luke 6:38 tells us, "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." Isn't this wonderful?! Thank you, Lord!

This is God’s will for us! And, trust me when I tell you, when you give to others, you get happiness for yourself in return. Now that is a great deal, if you ask me!

But, don’t just take my word for it. Here are some great articles to read that drive this point home:

• The Secret to Happiness is Helping Others
• The Joy of Giving: The more you give of yourself, the more you find of yourself
• 10 Facts That Prove Helping Others Is A Key To Achieving Happiness​,