Power in Moral Events

Good deeds, even just thinking about helping others, have more willpower, more stamina and are sensitivity to discomfort, according to a new study out of Harvard. The same held true for people who perceived themselves as evil. Researchers call this the “moral transformation” effect because such deeds have the power to transform people from average to exceptional. They suggest helping others before being faced with temptation and that lending a helping hand may be a useful technique to regain control of your own life. Details are in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.

Stephen Goforth

Ray Made It!

On New Year's Day, Ray nearly died.

He fell to the ground near his car in a church parking lot. Fortunately, the pastor of the church and a funeral director (of all people quickly stepped in to breath life back into him- literally. One gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and the other pumped his chest. The pair kept Ray alive until paramedics arrived. Ray had to be shocked three times with a defibrillator to get his heart beating again. But it’s still going and Ray has recovered from that near-death experience.

Like Ray, many people in our community are in trouble right outside of our doors. They are hurting emotionally and spiritually. Let’s work together to reach them, so they know there is hope and there is life. We have a choice before us right now as to whether we’ll get involved or sit on the sidelines during 2009.

Will we be the like the religious men, who passed by the beaten man on the other side of the road, trying to avoid the whole situation? Or will we follow the lead of the Good Samaritan and become the instrument of God in someone’s life?

It’s not about large, extravagant gestures. Just average people, making a difference in small ways as opportunities present themselves.

Stephen Goforth