In your lifetime, you’ve probably experienced some random acts of kindness. Remember a time when a friend surprised you with a compliment or when someone else got you out of a difficult situation when they saw you were struggling? These kinds of pleasant surprises can certainly change things.
Do you realize that these encounters can also be beneficial for your overall spiritual health and wellbeing? A kind deed, a kind word, a selfless deed, or a modest gift are all examples of random acts of kindness.
You can actually brighten someone’s day and improve their attitude with a simple smile. Here are a few advantages of practicing random acts of kindness.
Five Ways Random Acts of Kindness Bring About Spiritual Wellness
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”
1. Encourages Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
You might feel thankful for your blessings by doing something kind for another person. This is especially true if the person you are helping is struggling or less fortunate than you.
It offers perspective on the richness you have in your own life when you realize you can give even the smallest amount of yourself to someone else.
2. Lessens Our Worries and Stress
Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.”
Another effective approach to restore perspective is to take a step outside of ourselves and focus on someone else. Additionally, doing something nice for someone else simply makes you feel better.
Your happiness increases while feel-good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin get released. Your problems may afterwards seem a little less overwhelming.
3. Random Acts of Kindness Enrich Your Mind
Romans 8:5-6 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Being kind to others is demonstrated in numerous studies to improve mood. When you perform nice things for others without expecting anything in return, your outlook on life will inevitably improve.
In fact, research demonstrates that the pleasure and reward centers of the brain actually light up in those who perform these acts in much the same way as they respond in the recipients. We associate these selfless acts of kindness with better mood, reduced anxiety, and more vitality, otherwise known as “helper’s high.”
4. Reduce Pain or Discomfort
Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
If you are kind to others, you yourself might even feel better physically. Studies show that providing assistance to others causes the release of endorphins or hormones in the brain. These endorphins and hormones are frequently referred to as “natural painkillers” since they can reduce some pain and discomfort.
5. Improve Relationships with Random Acts of Kindness and Prayer
Job 42:10 “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
People may warmly and with gratitude remember acts of kindness you did for them, even just by letting them know you’re praying for them. Your kind gestures may strengthen bonds and foster positive emotions with the individuals you associate with. These connections can also promote positive relations with those around you.
These are only a few of the benefits that result from performing random acts of kindness. Keep in mind that any gesture is appreciated. The donor and the recipient always benefit when good deeds are done.
What random acts of kindness can you do every day?
