Soul care. It’s becoming a trendy phrase in spiritual circles these days, both Christian and not. But what is it? Is it simply me-time or self-care? Is it the same as spiritual growth? And if it’s something I should be interested in, how do I go about caring for this soul of mine?
(Disclaimer: I am not, for the slightest moment, going to pretend to be an expert in soul care. However, I am a student of it, and I promise to share from my own on-the-ground experiences as well as from people who are much wiser than I.)
Speaking of wise, let’s start with Dallas Willard’s depiction of the soul:
“Our soul is like an inner steam of water, which gives strength, direction, and harmony to every other element of our life. When that stream is as it should be, we are constantly refreshed and exuberant in all we do, because our soul itself is then profusely rooted in the vastness of God and his kingdom, including nature; and all else within us is enlivened and directed by that stream.”
Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart
In other words, your soul is your life, beyond but not independent of, your body. It’s the center of who you are.
Willard adds, “…the soul is the most basic level of life in the individual, and one that is by nature rooted in God. We must take care to do whatever we can to keep it in his hands, recognizing all the while that we can only do this with his help.”
Enter the idea of soul care: placing, with God’s help, our soul in his hands. We nurture and protect what is most valuable. And what could possibly be more valuable than the part of us that connects with God and shares His life with the world?
Except, it’s not really that easy, is it? Not so long ago, I unintentionally exalted ministry, obedience, and motherhood above soul care. I held it together on the outside but was bone-weary on the inside. I don’t think I’m the only Christian who tends toward pouring out more than filling up. We, as kingdom workers, desperately need to take this idea to heart. In fact, let’s do more than that–let’s take it to action.
Jesus’ Perspective on the Soul
Jesus puts it this way, “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?” (Matthew 16:26)
These are probing questions on their own, but even more piercing when you consider the context. Jesus had begun to speak to his disciples of his impending suffering and death, but Peter wouldn’t stand for it. He rebuked Jesus for even saying such a thing and got called Satan because of it. He wanted to protect what he perceived to be Jesus’ life, but he was only looking at it with physical eyes. After this, Jesus tells his followers that anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses it for his sake will find it.
Then, the soul questions of verse 26.
Every element of this section of text points to the idea of life beyond this life, of soul-life being all that truly matters.
This leads me to believe that the only place our souls are truly safe is in a completely surrendered position to God. He is the shelter of our souls. Regardless of earthly circumstances, “your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
The Source of Soul-Life
Christian soul care, therefore, is much more than self-care. In a way, it can be summed up in the idea of abiding in Christ. It’s one part position–you are in Christ; and one part intention–you keep yourself in Christ.
He is the Living Water, given freely to all the redeemed, but we must choose to return to drink of Him and refresh our own stream daily, hourly, minute by minute.
Honestly, I don’t expect that I’m surprising any of you with these statements. It’s the story of every Christian’s journey and of the spiritual growth we all long for, but the practical pieces of how to drink deeply of Christ and come away refreshed are often neglected. I hope to respond to that in the rest of this blog series. (Stay tuned!)
Until then, I’d like to point you to some other resources that I’ve found helpful in nurturing my own soul.
- The Transforming Center blog and all books by Ruth Haley Barton
- The Soul Shepherding blog and podcast
- The Honesty Tool Workshop to help you connect on a soul-level with Jesus. This one costs a bit but is perfect for doing with a small group.
For meditation as you ponder the state and care of your own soul:
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
So, my friend, how is your soul today?
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