{"id":38351,"date":"2020-02-07T14:20:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T14:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/pastors\/preaching\/sermon-illustrations\/want-to-feel-happier-talk-to-strangers\/"},"modified":"2020-02-07T14:20:00","modified_gmt":"2020-02-07T14:20:00","slug":"want-to-feel-happier-talk-to-strangers","status":"publish","type":"sermon-illustrations","link":"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/pastors\/preaching\/sermon-illustrations\/want-to-feel-happier-talk-to-strangers\/","title":{"rendered":"Want to Feel Happier? Talk to Strangers"},"content":{"rendered":"

An article (2019) from NPR asks, “Do you want to feel happier today?” Based on current scientific studies, here’s one way to boost your happiness: Try talking to a stranger.<\/p>\n\n

Here’s an excerpt from the article:<\/p>\n\n

\n

Many of us tend to do just about anything to avoid conversation or even eye contact with strangers. And smartphones make it easier than ever to do that. A recent study found that phones can keep us from even exchanging brief smiles with people we meet in public places. But a body of research has shown that we might just be short-changing our own happiness by ignoring opportunities to connect with the people around us.<\/p>\n

Several years ago, [two researchers at the] University of British Columbia tested whether short conversations with strangers could lift moods. They asked participants to enter a busy coffee shop and grab a beverage — half would get in and get out, and half would strike up a conversation with the cashier.<\/p>\n

The people who turned the economic transaction into a quick social interaction left Starbucks in a better mood. They even felt a greater sense of belonging in their community.<\/p>\n

Another researcher led a series of experiments revealing that train and bus commuters who interacted with other passengers experienced a more pleasant ride—even when they believed they would prefer the solitude of, say, reading a book. A third researcher noted that even brief eye contact increased people's sense of inclusion and belonging.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Possible Preaching Angles:<\/h2>\n\n

Followers of Jesus should lead the way in reaching out to strangers with conversation and kindness. As we engage others in a posture of kindness and prayerfulness, it may also open doors to share aspects of the gospel with others in our daily life.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"template":"","tax_ctp_audience":[],"tax_ctp_authors":[],"tax_ctp_categories":[165],"tax_ctp_format":[171],"tax_ctp_illustration_types":[411],"tax_ctp_multimedia":[],"tax_ctp_point_editor":[446],"tax_publications":[140],"tax_ctp_tags":[3482,3641,3644,3688,3862,4117,4170,4286,4321,4383,5005,5016,5031,5246],"tax_ctp_topics":[396],"class_list":["post-38351","sermon-illustrations","type-sermon-illustrations","status-publish","hentry","tax_publications-ct-pastors","tax_ctp_tags-belonging","tax_ctp_tags-communication","tax_ctp_tags-community","tax_ctp_tags-conversation","tax_ctp_tags-encouragement","tax_ctp_tags-happiness","tax_ctp_tags-hospitality","tax_ctp_tags-isolation","tax_ctp_tags-kindness","tax_ctp_tags-loneliness","tax_ctp_tags-social-action","tax_ctp_tags-solitude","tax_ctp_tags-speech","tax_ctp_tags-visitors-guests"],"acf":{"scripture_references":[{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null}]},"yoast_head":"\nWant to Feel Happier? 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