Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.
Psalm 42:5 NAS
REFLECT
AAHHHH, summertime! For many it is a time for a change of cadence, a shift in schedules, more sunshine or at least more daylight, grilling, maybe some time at the pool, getting some sand on your toes or a quiet hike in the woods or even the mountains. Of course there is still lots of work to be done, even if you are “retired” you probably have a list of projects you have been waiting to “get a round to.”
While summer brings change, for some, it can bring challenges, such as childcare while school is out, extra expenses and expectations or for families who have walked through divorce, time away from your children as they leave to spend time with their other parent. Know that we are praying for all of you as we step into summertime, for both the opportunities and obstacles to enjoy this season.
Last year we urged you to make a personal and/or family list of things you wanted to accomplish, experience or do over the summer. It was an opportunity to share your goals and dreams and live intentionally instead of stepping into September wondering where the summer went. We encourage you to do that again this summer but our new focus for this year is on Soul Care.
Soul Care is not “self-care.” Self-care relies on our own efforts to make sure we are taking are of ourselves in various ways such as eating healthier diets, changing various habits, taking strides to exercise, hydrate, rest, have some quiet or “me-time,” etc. While these are important things we absolutely should address, this is very different than Soul Care.
Soul Care meets with God daily, and through Him, by His power and presence we participate in restoration and transformation of our eternal, inner being. Our soul is who we are and fully dependent on God as its Creator, Sustainer, and if we choose to believe and follow Jesus, we know Him as our Redeemer. Once we are saved and justified by grace through faith in Jesus and our soul is being discipled and sanctified as God transforms us into the character of His Son, our Lord, Christ Jesus. As it is said, “We are not a body with a soul, but a soul with a temporary, earthly body.” Simply put, your soul is the real and eternal you.
Real care, eternal care, begins with soul care. It lifts and shifts us to a higher and more intimate knowledge of our God and a recalibration and celebration of who we are in Him. Soul Care begins in frequent and fervent prayer.
In today’s verse David is addressing a deep heaviness and hurt that has taken up residence inside his soul and is instructing himself to not only address it but evict and replace it with hope, “joyful confident expectation and anticipation,” in God. We don’t just ignore issues in our soul – we restore the soul with the presence and Word of God. Kick out the trash and replace it with Truth, replace pain for healing, and fear with confidence and courage that enables us to stand in the storms and move forward in the divinely designed day and destiny that God has established for us.
As we begin, pick ONE thing, the main thing in your life that you want to address and process with God. He knows you inside and out, He knows your every thought, word and deed. Don’t be tempted to think you are hiding something from Him and He is going to be shocked, angry or disappointed in you. This is simply NOT true. With open arms and love you cannot even fathom, He is waiting for you to invite Him into your pain, problem, frustration, insecurity, wound, or weariness. Let Him reveal Himself to you in ways that will bring healing, hope and transformation to your soul.
Begin in prayer. Take this one soul-starving or scarring thing to God in prayer and pour out to Him every detail, emotion, thought… everything poured out to the God of hope, get it all out and then sit still and quietly with Him, linger and listen and let Him begin to fill you with His joy and peace. Most things are not fully transformed or restored in a day, but you will be on your way.
Watch for opportunities where God will take you to Scriptures, situations, and conversations that will immediately bring help, hope, and healing. In His time, as long as we keep our focus and faith on God, we will overcome in His care.
PRAY
Let's begin this Summer of Soul Care together in Prayer.
My Lord, I pour out praise to my Creator, Sustainer, Deliverer, Anchor of Hope, Help, and Prince of Peace. I come to You now with (name your one thing). I cast my cares and seek You for care. Bring care to my soul for Your glory and my transformation, evict this from my life and fill me with Your newness, love and power that I might thrive abundantly and abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I trust that You will teach me, show me, and restore me as I know nothing is impossible for You. Bring care to my soul that fully belongs to You. In the healing and Holy name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President | NDP Task Force
