Take two similar people in terms of their circumstances, social demographics, income, and faith – one donates money and volunteers regularly, while the other does not. The giver will be, on average, 11 percentage points more likely to be happier than the non-giver.
Giving is also known to lower stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. which can lead to feelings of unhappiness.
A number of studies have researched why giving leads to happiness, and they've discovered that giving affects our brain chemistry and releases endorphins that produce feelings of happiness. Psychologists refer to this as the "Helper's High."
As we give, our brain chemistry is affected as endorphins are released that produce feelings of happiness which psychologists refer to as the "Helper's High." Essentially, we are wired to give.
It makes sense that giving would cause our hearts to be glad and benefits our health because we're made in God's likeness, and He is a giver.
He wired us to be generous with our time, money, talents, and energy, and it's often when we suffer harm or ill-treatment that we respond by shutting down our tendency to be a giver and lose this God-given trait and the joy it generates in our life. However, the closer we draw to God, see things from a heavenly perspective and receive from Him, the easier it is to be a giver and, as a result, more cheerful and healthy.
Robert Louis Stevenson once wisely said, "don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." If you want to cultivate happiness in your life, one thing you can actively do is to look for ways every day to give.
It doesn't necessarily have to be monetary, (although there is a real blessing that comes from meeting someone's financial and physical needs Luke 6:38 ); it could be an encouraging message or comment, a helping hand, or giving your skills and knowledge to assist someone who needs it.
The small things you do can mean everything in another person's life which then benefits them and you more than we can often imagine. I encourage you to tap into the real power and benefits to be found in giving and being a blessing to others. For, "we make a living by what we give not by what we get." Winston Churchill
"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:25)
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me a giver. Please help me make the most of my potential and what I have in my hand to give and tap into the joy that giving brings to my life. Please show me who, where and how to give today. In Jesus name Amen.