Look outside yourself

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 NKJV

In a story titled, “Why this man is running for mental health awareness” published earlier this month, it was reported that Chris Vetter, who has struggled with anxiety since high school, ran The New York City Marathon (his first one) for a purpose larger than himself. Upon completing the iconic 26.2 mile race, Vetter said, “The last couple of years have been so difficult for everybody. I wanted to be a part of something bigger... that's why I chose to run with a mental health charity. My anxiety attacks were so bad, one time I actually thought I was dying. I thought the room was caving in and collapsing." Vetter raised money for Still I Run, a nonprofit running community that works to promote the benefits of running for mental health. He was selected from hundreds of applicants. The "Still I Run" team raised over $40,000 at the marathon. "It feels amazing but the job's not done ... this is only the beginning just for my own personal journey and I want to continue on that mission," Vetter said. He now wants to spread the message of how running can really improve one's mental state. At the end of the day, you feel better... you're able to think about everything so much clearer. I encourage everybody to just get outside and run," he said.

And you know, when it comes to getting outside to improve our mental health, we would all do well to get ‘outside’ ourselves by looking out “for the interests of others” more than our own. You see, when you and I focus on ourselves too much we will find all kinds of reasons to be anxious, unsettled or depressed. But when we focus on serving others, we are not only fulfilling a biblical command but changing the way we think and feel about ourselves—seeing ourselves as people who are making a difference. Charles Dickens explained it this way, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Which means that those people who are the happiest are those people who do the most for others.

So look for opportunities to do good my friend. Especially at those times when you don’t feel like it. You’ll not only lighten the load of those around you but yours as well. Serving others has the power to do that.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our spirits are always lifted when we lift the spirits of others whether by word or deed. Help us to look to the needs of others Lord that we would not only give you glory but improve our mental states as well. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!