Let me ask you this question: when was the last time you felt fully rested and fully alive? If you can’t pinpoint it then maybe it’s a sign that you could benefit from more soul
-care in your life. But what holds you back from really focusing on yourself?
I think many people struggle with the fear that if they take time to focus on their soul, then they’ll become selfish and conceited… I get that this is coming from a good place, but this belief is keeping many from being fully alive, and therefore being a full gift to the people around them. What if self-care could actually help you love the people around you better?
SOUL-CARE IS NOT A SEASON
Soul-care
is an absolute game changer when it comes to serving the people in your life. Let’s check out this week’s Monday Motivation video for more on why it’s not a selfish thing to do
In a nutshell:
• 1 Timothy 4:16 says, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”
• Ministry at its best is out of overflow.
• I’ve pastored prophetic people for around 25 years, and one of the things I’ve noticed is that when someone is troubled it affects the prophetic words they give. Clean water passing through a dirty filter just gets dirty.
• So, we didn’t just teach our prophetic people how to prophesy, but also how to take care of their souls.
• Paul exhorts Timothy to pay close attention to himself. Now let’s keep in mind here that anything taken in the wrong context or over-emphasized can become a perversion (the wrong version). Often times the context dictates definition.
• Sometimes when we talk about taking care of ourselves we can become self-centered, prideful and arrogant. That’s not the kind of self-care I’m talking about today.
• The context of taking care of your soul is so that you can love others well. Ministry can then be done from overflow from a healthy soul.
• 3 John:1-2 says, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
• Prosperity and health are directly related to your soul, and indirectly related to your spirit. We sometimes get those switched around.
ACTIVATION FOR THE WEEK
So my question for you is, what are you doing to take care of your soul this week? If this is a new idea for you then I want to encourage you to spend some time thinking about what is restful for you in a way that recharges you (not just sitting on the couch binge watching TV for hours on end)… think about the things that make your soul come alive and incorporate that into the rhythm of your life. For me this is working in my workshop/garage. I love building things with my hands, whether it’s making a table or working on a car part… this always refuels me more than just sitting on a couch.
If you’ve heard of the practice of self-care, but have a hard time putting it into practice, then think about your soul like a best friend—how would you treat them? Would you take care of them, and make them feel special? Would you ask them how they’re doing, and make sure they’re getting their needs met in a healthy way?
And lastly, remember the word “overflow.” Let your work, your ministry to your family, your ministry to the people you’re called to all be out of the “more” that you’re running over with because of the way you love yourself well.
What are some other ways you practice soul-care? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
