Daily Devotions
A Spiritual Boomerang
Reading for June 12th: Psalms 38-42
Blessed is the one who considers the poor!
In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him...
The LORD sustains him on his sickbed;
in his illness you restore him to full health.
Psalm 41:1, 3
Someone gave me an article telling the story of Cami Walker. In her early 30's Cami learned she had multiple sclerosis. After two years of various treatments and medications, she was only getting worse. She began walking with a cane and had to stay at home for days at a time.
But then a friend suggested she try an unorthodox remedy: Give away gifts. She suggested giving 29 gifts in 29 days. After just one day of trying this, Cami felt better. She was in a better mood and had more energy. Each day of giving made her feel better. By day 14 she had thrown away the cane.
We should not be surprised by this story. There is a spiritual law behind this. Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). The recipient of the gift is not the only one who is blessed, the giver is blessed as well. Call it a spiritual boomerang effect. The blessing comes back to you, and in a more powerful way.
That is why gift giving offers a special blessing for those who are suffering. Trials have a tendency to make us think inward and to feel sorry for ourselves, which only makes us feel worse than we already are feeling. Giving of ourselves has the positive benefit of helping us to break out of the downward spiral that can happen during a difficult trial.
If you are suffering and need a boost spiritually, try giving gifts. Think of practical things you can do for others. The gift doesn't have to be monetary or material. Be creative. Keep a journal of what you do. But make a commitment that you will think of others more than yourself. That's the key.
We thank you, Father God, for the gift of your Son. Help us to reflect your love in the gifts we give to others.
(If you would like to learn more about Cami's story and get some ideas on how to do this yourself, go to her website: 29gifts.org.)
