“The soul, like the body, lives by what it feeds on.”
Josiah Gilbert Holland
Rushing from one responsibility to another and being busy with a calendar full of commitments does nothing for my soul. Those things subtract, deplete, and prevent me from having a healthy soul. Busyness distracts me from what my soul needs most.
Stewarding our souls requires us to look at our inner beings like we would our bank accounts. When we make deposits into our savings accounts, we will accrue interest, and compound interest over time pays great dividends. Likewise, when we intentionally make deposits into our soul accounts, we will have what we need when a withdrawal comes due.
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress. I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2). If our soul accounts are full, then we won’t lose our peace when adversity hits, or at the very least, we will be more resilient and able to bounce back more quickly. Full soul accounts will provide what we need to stand when the storms of life come.
Making deposits into our soul accounts may look different to each person, but there are some common denominators. Psalm 19:7 promises us that His law refreshes our souls, and Psalm 62:5 guarantees that our souls find rest in God. Spending time in God’s presence and reading and meditating on God’s Word are two ways we all can make deposits into our souls.
For me, a slower pace, having plenty of margin between commitments, and solitude are ways I make down payments into my soul. Other installments into my soul come as I sit still and listen to God’s voice, discovering who God is and who He made me to be. Finding an outlet for my creativity, such as writing, is another way to invest in my soul’s health.
Jesus, in Matthew 16:26, asks His disciples these questions. “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” As the year 2024 begins, commit to fewer withdrawals from your soul’s account and be intentional with making more deposits. So, that when the rains and winds beat against your soul, you will not fall.
“He who made the soul, knew its worth and gave His life for it.”
Arthur Jackson
Relevant Reflections:
1. What depletes your soul?
2. Specifically, how can you make deposits into your soul this new year?
Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay