“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2).
We throw the word soul around a lot, but if someone were to ask you to explain exactly what the word soul means, what would you say?
Everyone of us struggles through the storms of life. Sometimes the greatest lesson is learning how to stand in faith in the midst of them. In my own life, I have experienced various personal trials, disappointments, and temptations, yet through all of this I learned to stand in the midst of them, but, it wasn’t easy. I began to give more thought to the need to care for the soul several years ago as I was going through a difficult transition. What I discovered is that it’s important to pay attention to my soul. I began to understand that our ability to discern, use our spiritual senses and make wise decisions are tied closely to the condition of our souls.
God wants you whole. Remember the man beside the Pool of Bethesda who had been sick for thirty-eight years? When Jesus saw him lying there and realized that he had spent a long time in this condition, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)
The condition of our soul matters! God wants His children whole, prosperous and in good health even as our soul prospers. A soul that is cluttered with unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, pride, lust, fear and the cares of this world crowds out the truth of God’s Word. A crowded soul makes it difficult to stand in the midst of difficult seasons in life. We must stand firm in biblical truths to walk out this journey set before us.
The way we see the world, and the way we hear others, is affected by the condition of our soul.
Jonathan Welton, School of the Seers
Your prosperity and health is directly related to your soul prosperity. Your soul is your mind, will and emotions. Several years ago, the Lord impressed upon me how important it is to have a prosperous soul. The health of your soul is important so much so that the apostle John prayed for his friend, Gaius, that he would prosper and be in good physical health even as his soul was prospering (3 John 2). At the time Gaius was dealing with certain troubles in the church. John wanted to direct him, not only in how to respond to the trials but also how to relate to those who proclaim the truth. John also commended the believers for holding fast to the truth and doing so with a loving attitude.
It’s important as Believers that we hold fast to the truth with a loving attitude in these uncertain times. We must strive to make the gospel a reality in our lives through the way we treat one another. Soul prosperity releases the power of God in your life. The prosperous soul walks in the truth and love.
Note: All Scriptures are taken from New American Standard Bible unless otherwise noted.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 