The Blog
When do we feel the happiest?
The least anxious?
The most satisfied?
It’s not when we’re focused on ourselves.
Instead, it’s when we look beyond ourselves to meet the needs of those around us.
And this “others” focus is, after all, biblical. Scripture says to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 ESV) and to “count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
So we honor God by focusing on others.
But what does that “others” focus actually look like on a daily basis? How can we practically live beyond ourselves?
Here are 3 examples.
1. Be “Practically” Generous
Proverbs 11:24 says, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”
Generosity is a biblical attitude and can play out in very practical ways.
For example, we can give a bigger tip to our server after a meal at a restaurant. Or we can get our spouse or significant other a surprise drink from their favorite coffee shop “just because.” Or we can take advantage of the spirit of the upcoming holiday season to be generous in gift-giving.
But generosity goes beyond sharing our money and gifts.
We can be generous with our time by being available to those who could use our help—whether that’s a friend going through a rough patch or the children’s ministry at church needing volunteers.
We can also be generous with our resources. This might look like opening up our homes for a Bible study or lending out our extra vehicle to a friend whose car is getting repairs done.
As you go about your day, look for ways to be generous with your money, time, and resources, and let that attitude of generosity grow in your life.
2. Be Intentional About Prayer
We’re busy. We have work and appointments and activities. So many things to do and so little time!
But in all the busyness of life, we can practice living beyond ourselves by taking time to be intentional about praying for friends, family, and others. Colossians 4:2 says to “continue steadfastly in prayer,” and a part of this steadfast prayer life can be praying earnestly for those around us.
Here are some practical ideas on how you can do that:
- Regularly ask people how you could pray for them—then make sure to write down their prayer requests somewhere for easy reference (whether in a prayer journal or just as a note in your phone).
- Whenever someone shares a prayer request with you, stop and pray for them right then and there (either audibly or silently to yourself).
- Try the approach of praying from Scripture. When praying from Scripture, you take the words that you’re reading in the Bible and modify them into a prayer for a specific person in your life. It’s such a simple and profound way to make sure we’re praying the will of God for someone!
3. Be Involved in Regular Personal Fellowship
There are about 59 “one another” commands in Scripture.
These commands teach us how we as believers should relate to each other.
In order to live out these commands (and to practice living beyond ourselves), we can make time in our lives to pursue regular personal fellowship with other believers.
Fellowship doesn’t only happen at church on Sundays. We can spend time with other believers by meeting up with them personally during the week, being engaged in a small group, or sending a check-in text to someone.
For example, you could do a monthly one-on-one Bible study with a newer believer to help disciple them as they grow in Christ. Or you could host a men’s or women’s group at your house twice a month where you go through a Christian book together. Or you could attend a weekly meeting in someone else’s home where you share your lives and prayer requests.
However it looks in your own life, this focus on being actively involved in fellowship with other believers will help you live beyond yourself as you seek the good of others.
How Can You Practice Living Beyond Yourself?
These are just a few examples of ways we can practice living beyond ourselves.
Through simple acts of generosity, intentional prayer, and commitment to personal fellowship, by the power of the Holy Spirit we can foster an “others”-focused attitude that honors God.
So how can you practice living beyond yourself in your own life this week? Or even this very day?
What opportunities for generosity can you pursue? Who can you take intentional time to pray for? What specific person or people can you be engaging in personal fellowship?
The amazing paradox that God has set up is that we find the most joy when we focus not on ourselves but on others.
And in focusing on others, we honor Him.
Discover more about what Scripture says about how we relate to others with our study Together: Union with Christ and Each Other. Grab a few copies today and start studying with a friend or small group!