Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The healthy soul (4)

"If our soul has been damaged (in the past), we need inner healing and restoration" I wrote in my previous blog. Soul pain finds its cause  in disappointment, rejection, abuse, manipulation, curses, etc. etc. Very often damages to our soul can be traced back to childhood years and experiences.

👉Soul pain does not get cured by itself nor does it disappear because we ignore it! Very often self-medication (alcohol, (prescription) drugs, behavioral adjustment, isolation etc.) is being used to suppress this invisible pain.

I have heard that our soul is like a sponge that absorbs all our experiences (good and bad). If we do not squeeze a wet sponge regularly, it will become heavy and it will smell bad; this also applies to our soul.

The importance of  soul cleansing is crucial. It may not solve all physical problems, but I am convinced it will solve most. Soul cleansing basically means bringing our deepest secrets out in the open, talking them over with someone and praying together for healing. Let's go back to the text in 3 John 1: 2 where it says:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

Being healthy, just as (as well as, being similar to) our soul is doing well. Based on those words, I dare to say that a healthy soul is the foundation for good physical health and of course it starts with knowing for sure that we are safe in God's presence. The Psalmist describes it this way: Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. (Psalm 62: 1).

We can try all the medicines and therapies that the world has to offer, but only in God will we truly find peace for our souls. From there, further healing can and will follow, although often step by step. And yes, that will bring us back to the invitation of the Lord Jesus: Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls...