RESTORING YOUR SOUL

Years ago I was given a very nice watch, but it gained two minutes every day. I sent it in to be recalibrated, but it still gained 90 seconds every day. I had it recalibrated again and again, but it continued to gain time. After arriving earlier and earlier to everyday engagements, I had to make a habit of resetting the watch each day. Your soul is similar to that watch.

As a follower of Jesus, you carry the kingdom of God on the inside of you, and the world needs to see the consistent character and love of God in your life. But as you go through the challenges and difficulties of life, there will be times when your soul needs to be recalibrated. Your relationship with the Lord is the source of peace and joy, and Psalm 23:3 says that He is the one who restores your soul.

Remember this: Jesus did not die just to get you into heaven; He died to get heaven into you! The difference between your life as a believer and the life of a non-believer is your relationship with the Creator. When the ups and downs of life happen, you do not have to be broken and stay broken. Instead, your soul can be restored, reset, and recalibrated in Him so that you live and thrive in His fullness!

Healthy Priorities

In Psalm 119:25, the psalmist wrote, My soul clings to the dust. In other words, the stuff of this world is going to try to grab hold of you and contaminate you. It will try to affect your habits, the way you spend your time, priorities, thoughts, and attitudes.

You need to know that the devil targets your soul. He can’t touch your born again spirit, but he can mess with your soul (your mind, will, and emotions) by trying to get you to focus on current problems or even your past. He’ll bring up failures, guilt, rejection, hurts and try to make them giants in your life. If you don’t want those things to cling to you and pull you down, you need to do a recalibration on a regular basis!

Jesus tells us to “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33. This is the secret to having a life that runs the way God designed. When you are seeking God and His kingdom first, your soul is calibrated with Him, and able to prosper.

Every Day

You need to be more aware of God’s presence than the presence of the enemy. However, 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The enemy does not take a day off from his goal to destroy God’s children. In order to keep the dust from your soul, God wants to spend time with you every day.

As you daily spend time with God, He refreshes your soul through His Word. Reading the Bible strengthens your soul to grow and flourish rather than be weighed down by life’s “stuff.” As you feed your soul by getting into God’s Word, His truth changes the way you think, what you choose and the way you feel. It restores your soul.

When Jesus was being tempted by the enemy in the wilderness, He answered him saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. Likewise, as you receive the fresh revelation God gives you through His Word, the enemy flees, the dust is shaken off, and you are reset for victory!

God also wants to be in daily conversations with you. Prayer connects your heart to His and breaks those distractions of the world that hold you back. Every fear can be uprooted when you hear His voice and what He says about your situation, your heart, and your purpose. Hearing His voice will deepen your relationship and restore your hope and passion in whatever situation you are facing. Prayer is a daily reminder that He is there to guide, protect, and restore your soul.

Community

The Christian life is not meant to be one of isolation. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Being involved in a godly community, not only encourages you but it also gives you opportunities to encourage others. And most importantly, fellowshipping with a community of believers connects your soul to others in healthy ways. One of the ways your soul is refreshed and restored is by connecting with the heart of God through relationship with others who know and love Him.

1 John 4:21 says, And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. You cannot love and follow God without loving those around you. And as you grow closer to God, you will begin to see others the way He sees them – forgiven, loved, and blessed.

Shine Your Light

Not only are you called to engage in fellowship, encouragement, and strengthening within the body of Christ, but you were also made to share the good news of Jesus! Your soul is like a fountain – what you put in will overflow out. Sharing the love of God with others is the completion of what you were created to do.

Understand that you will face lots of ups and downs on the road of life, but closing yourself off from the world will not keep you from them. Matthew 5:16 tells us to, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Unbelievers need to see your consistent life and the love of God that flows out from you.

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” As your soul is continually restored by your heavenly Father, you can overflow and bless those around you. It is the best way to live!

Finally…

Remember this: God wants you to have a prosperous soul. In 3 John verse 2, John wrote: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. Having a healthy soul affects everything in your life – and it starts with making God and His priorities your priority. When your soul prospers, you will experience victory, peace, joy, contentment, and purpose. This is my prayer for you: that you will have a soul that prospers!

So as you face the road ahead, invite God to be first and welcome His restoration of your soul so that you can be well and prosper and have a part in bringing heaven to earth!
What is the first step to walking with God and trusting Him to restore your soul? Jesus said that you must first invite Him into your heart. That means receiving Jesus as Savior, turning away from your old ways of thinking, and making Jesus Lord of your life. Have you surrendered your life to Jesus? If not, here’s a prayer you can pray:

“God, I believe Jesus died on the cross, I believe His blood paid for my sins, and I believe He rose again. I give Him all of my heart and all of my life. I hold nothing back, and as You help me, I will live for Jesus every day. I receive the forgiveness Jesus purchased for me. I thank you my past is gone, that I am Your child, a part of Your family today and forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, we encourage you to read Pastor’s free book, Your New Life, to help you grow in your relationship with God. You can request it at this link.

(All scriptures are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated.)