Good For The Soul

“This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” – Jeremiah 6:16. 

It is hard to imagine what technology will bring us in 25 years. Even five years will probably bring a whole new level of possibilities. You would think the world would be a perfect place considering the progress we have made in every area of life over the centuries. But while we have made unbelievable strides, we are still far from perfect people living a crime-free, disease-free, utopia. Yes, technology and science have made great strides, but I am not sure technology or science will ever truly understand the human soul. No matter how far MRI and other technologies have come, they can’t find where the soul is in the human body. Since it can’t be found it can’t be studied. There are no prescriptions, surgery or treatments a doctor can prescribe for the soul. But we know that we have one: and we know that the You in Five Years will be a reflection of the condition of your soul/heart, good or bad.

Toxic attitudes, behaviors, and cultural influences are the bad. While it is impossible to avoid avoid contact with such toxins in our culture, we don’t have to be contaminated by them. You can protect your soul and start experiencing the pure life that God wants you to enjoy. Things like identifying the lies that deceive you. Or changing behaviors that harm your walk with God and your witness to others. Focus on the things of God rather than the things that are not of God; things like emotions, consumptions, habits, etc.   If you think unhealthy thoughts, you’ll become an unhealthy person. But if you think healthy thoughts that reflect God’s truth, you’ll become more like Jesus, as God intends you to become. Regularly pray for the ability to view the situations you encounter as God sees them so you can have the right perspective on them. Every day, ask God to show you which thoughts that enter your mind are good and those that are not so good. Focus on the things that are good. Try to rid your heart of envy. Minimize the times you get angry.

Break free of fear. God gives you a spirit of power, love, and peace – not fear. Rather than placing your faith in all the “what-ifs” of life and feeling afraid of what may or may not happen, place your faith in God who is in charge of your future and wants what’s best for you. Pray about the fear in your life and surrender it to God, asking Him to help you trust Him more with it. The closer you become to God, the less you’ll struggle with fear. And finally break free of any negative influences in your life: materialism, media, poor company, etc.

I pray that each of us can make the main thing the main thing, shed ourselves of any toxic attitudes, behaviors, and cultural influences, and begin each day by asking, “How can I magnify you today, Lord, and become the person you want me to be in five years?” 

Discussion Questions:

1. How often do you think about your soul? How are the soul and purpose connected?   
2. What are some preliminary steps we can take to make our soul/heart healthy?