By Kayla DeKraker
Did you know that living out the fruits of the Spirit listed in the Bible, especially kindness, can make you a happier person? That is exactly what the “World Happiness Report” reveals.
The report asked people all over the world to rate their happiness and reasons behind it. It found that those who are kind and believe the best about people are the happiest.
“One of the report’s most striking revelations is that being kind and expecting kindness from others — believing that your wallet would be returned if you lost it — are stronger predictors of happiness than avoiding major negative events like crime or economic hardship,” the report said.
It added that “believing in the goodwill of those around us” can make you happier than “earning a higher salary.”
The top three happiest countries are Finland, Denmark and Iceland.
The survey noted that “The world’s top 10 happiest nations in 2022-2024 show varying rankings in donating, volunteering, helping others, and trust in returning lost wallets.”
Categories the report observed included caring and sharing, sharing meals with others, living with others, connecting, supporting, trusting and giving to others.
These findings align with what the Bible tells us.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
It’s not surprising that kindness makes you happier.
Most of us have heard the Golden Rule throughout our whole lives, which stems from the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:12: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.”
Several studies done by social psychologist in the past looked at the phenomenon, too, even noting some physical health benefits to kindness.
“A 2018 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology…found that acts of generosity elevated the level of happiness and lowered the blood pressure of the kindness giver,” Psychology Today reported.
The outlet also noted that “Articles published in the Journal of Social Psychology, Journal of Positive Psychology, and Emotion have shown that even small acts of kindness such as holding the door for a stranger, petting an animal, or buying coffee for a colleague can have a positive impact on an individual.”
Have you helped someone out today? Paid for another person’s coffee? Held the door open for a stranger? Doing such things can not only make someone else’s day but can positively impact you physically, mentally and emotionally. Choose kindness today.
Read Next: Jennifer Garner Encourages Followers to Engage in Random Acts Of Kindness
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