One of
the many things that I love about God is found in Psalm 23:3a. “He restores my soul.” In
the Amplified Bible, it reads, “He
refreshes and restores my life (my self).”
Can you think of specific instances when
you have been discouraged, bowed down by the pressures and demands of life? It does
not have to be a catastrophic event that threatens the health of your soul. More
often than not, it is the small things continually building, one upon another,
until the accumulated weight brings despair. You continue to perform but you
lack emotional vitality. You go through the motions meeting the expectations of
others while inwardly there is a growing numbness, a weakening of the soul.
In this state of the soul, there is also
increased vulnerability to various temptations. If the need for spiritual
refreshing and renewal is not recognized, the condition of the soul continues
to erode. Here is where one becomes increasingly self-focused. Relationships are
strained as emotions wear thin. The thought processes become clouded, as the
moral fabric continues to be unraveled. The person maintains their religious
persona but the authenticity and joy of their relationship with God is
diminishing. Given enough time, the consequences become more severe, straying further
from God to pursue sinful desires. This continued erosion of the human soul is
a slow and progressive process that has brought many to ruin.
When confronted, a person at this stage
slips into ego management, denying there is any reason for concern, saying, “What
is your problem? Everything is just fine!” When the state of their soul is questioned they
minimize, “It’s not as bad as you think.” Often they will blame shift while
playing the victim. It’s gut wrenching to watch people we know and love caught
in a downward spiral refusing to listen to what they call, those holier than
thou do gooders. “Why don’t they just live their own lives and leave me alone!”
Space
does not allow me the liberty of revealing the many ways in which our loving
God patiently pursues the weary and thirsty soul. Whether discouraged like Elijah
when threatened by Jezebel (1 Kings 19:2-8) or enduring temptation like Jesus in
the wilderness (Matt. 4:11), we will receive His tender care and be refreshed.
When in fear like Peter, who denied Christ (Matt. 26:75) or like Thomas who could
not believe Jesus had risen from the dead (John 20:26-8), God will meet us at
our point of need.
God’s grace
also extends to the soul of the prodigal (Luke 15:11-24), who having walked
away from God, is continually pursued by Him, healing the soul of its
backsliding, and restoring it to His favor. Where ever we may be in life’s journey,
God brings us back, relieves, refreshes, and comforts our soul with renewed discoveries
of His love and the promises of His word (Psalm 19:7, Psalm
51:7-12). We only need
to respond.
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