Topic: The Goal of a Healthy Soul [Joyce Meyer Devotional 7 OCTOBER 2020]
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Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.— 3 John 2 (NKJV)
Most people I know set and meet goals each day that are something like this: “Buy the groceries. Do the laundry. Take the kids to school. Pick up Mom’s prescription. Get Mary’s birthday present.” We also set goals for each week and each year, such as getting to church every Sunday or going on a summer vacation. But how many of us have this goal: “Work on getting my soul healthy”? It’s one of the most important of all, yet few of us think of it as we create our to-do lists.
A healthy soul is a soul at peace and at rest. It isn’t upset, worried, angry, ashamed, or fearful. It is strong and steady, full of love, joy, hope, compassion toward others, and confidence in God. It can handle the ups and downs of life graciously and go through everyday life with ease.
As you read the description of a healthy soul, you may think, Oh, that sounds so nice! I would love that, but it’s just not possible because I’m dealing with [fill in the blank]. When you fill in the blank, you might say something like aging parents, or difficult teenagers, or a serious health condition, or job loss, or an abusive relationship, or losing my friends, or problems in my marriage, or financial trouble, or unreasonable expectations at work.
These are all situations that might cause you to think you really cannot have a healthy soul. Now, they may mean you’ll need to work hard to improve the health of your soul, but they don’t have the power to keep you from becoming whole again. Actually, the fact that you’re going through these things is not a hindrance to a healthy soul; it’s the reason you need one! The healthier your soul is, the stronger you will be, and the better you’ll be able to handle your most challenging circumstances.
Just like you, I’m no stranger to stress, but I have learned that things that upset us will happen. We don’t have control over that, but because God has given us the fruit of self-control (see Galatians 5:22–23) and because we can ask Him to help us, we do have control over the way we respond to them. I can guarantee you from personal experience that it’s much better to face challenges with a healthy soul than with a weak or wounded one.
A healthy soul is a worthy goal for all of us. I understand that in many ways it’s easier to get the groceries or drop off the kids at school than to work on becoming healthy in your mind, will, and emotions. I also know that pursuing health is one of the best things you will ever do for yourself, and that God will help you if you ask Him. It might seem impossible to you, but all things are possible with Him (see Matthew 19:26)!
Prayer Starter: Father, please show me how I can begin to pursue a healthy soul in my daily life. Thank You that all things are possible with You, and thank You in advance for helping me heal. In Jesus’ name, amen.