Get Happy: Break the Pattern That's Breaking Youنموونە

Joy Through Love and Generosity

In the last reading, we explored how true freedom comes when you stop clinging to control and entrust your life to God. That surrender doesn’t make your life smaller; instead, it opens space for something far bigger. Without the heavy weight of proving yourself over and over again, you become truly free to live life beyond just yourself.

In the world, happiness is often sold as a personal project: you’re told to collect experiences, reach goals, and protect your own well-being. Yet a life built only around yourself soon feels small and unsatisfying. And that’s because you were never meant to live life alone, but to share it with others.

Jesus once said something simple but especially powerful as it relates to this:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35 NIV

There’s that word “blessed” again… and it still means deeply happy and fulfilled. Jesus knew something modern research keeps confirming– that people who give, serve, and help others experience more joy than those who focus only on themselves.

The apostle Paul echoed a similar instruction:

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4 NIV

Neither Jesus nor Paul were saying that you should ignore your own needs, but you can offer a window into the blessed life by stepping beyond them. When you give time, energy, or kindness to others, life expands. You then experience a joy that isn’t dependent on your own possessions or achievements. Instead, generosity with your time, talents or treasures with others breaks the inward spiral of self-absorption and fills your days with meaning.

Think about the last time you helped someone, encouraged a friend, or met a need. Often there’s a surprising warmth afterward – a sense of connection and purpose that you cannot buy. That’s by design. God created you to love as He loves. When you reflect His generosity, you also get to experience His joy.

This doesn’t mean you must start big. Joy doesn’t come only from grand acts of charity. It can begin by listening deeply to someone, sharing resources, or offering practical help. A text of encouragement, a small gift, a meal shared – each breaks the hold of self-focus and opens space for happiness to grow – just as the Bible says:

“Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25 NIV

When you pour out, God refills. Joy is never lost when you share it; instead, it is multiplied.

Loving and giving are also part of leaving behind “the pattern of this world.” The world may teach self-promotion and personal gain; but God’s way teaches open-handed living. There is much to explore about how generosity reshapes the mind, but even a first small step already opens the door.

Take Time to Reflect

1. When was a time you felt joy after helping or blessing someone else?
2. Are you living more as a consumer or a giver of joy?
3. Who might you encourage or serve this week in a concrete way?