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If you struggle with selfishness, you will be glad to hear you are not alone! It can be really hard to put others first and yourself second and as lessons go, this is a long one. In fact, you may spend your whole life striving to do better and become a more selfless person.
Prayer alone won’t do it, though. You need to got out into the world and discover God’s purpose for you.
Mission Trips and Camp
Christian camps are perfect for bringing youths into contact with God and his teachings. They are also ideal places to really get in touch with yourself and figure out what your purpose is. Even one summer as a counselor at a Christian Camp one summer at college can change your life forever and open your eyes to what is meant to be.
Mission trips for teenagers are a great opportunity too. They teach lifelong lessons to help kids set aside their selfishness and care for a community or restore an environment.
Tapping your deep pockets thru a GoFundMe is one way to help those who are interested in going to these mission trips and camps. You may be an instrument in teaching that it doesn’t hurt to be selfless especially in helping others.
The trip might only last a few days, but the experience, like a Christian Camp will last forever and lay a deep foundation for their faith.
Volunteer
The best way to tackle your selfishness head on is to volunteer your time for someone needy. This might be helping out someone who is elderly or sick or it could be a regular activity you do with your church. Giving your time is so beneficial for these people because it shows that you care for them and are willing to put them first. Embody the spirit of Christ and find joy in your selflessness.
Setting time aside for other people will also help you to place your own needs behind those of others. Take a moment to reflect on how you can help and the good you can spread. Let these thoughts influence your prayer to and pray for others as well as guidance for yourself. As time goes on, you will feel the change in yourself – your personal, spiritual and social growth. This can only be a good thing.
Love Thy Neighbor
Finding the ability to love everyone in your heart is a ability that takes more than selflessness, it takes empathy and and strength. Above all else, being able to feel love, even for those who would wish you harm, is a true test of faith and your own determination to be guided by God. Everyone deserves salvation and that is what loving and praying for your neighbors is about: giving them the chance to find God as you have and share in the joy he brings.
When so many others are selfish – and our world has never been so selfish, it seems – it is hard not to look inwardly and become selfish too. It takes time and effort to become selfless, it will be a work in progress over your whole life. But with some guidance from God, you will find yourself in positions where you can make a difference and become truly selfless, even for a moment.
Trust, and He will provide.