Preach It!

Why are you in despair, my soul? And why are you restless within me? Wait for God, for I will again praise Him For the help of His presence, my God. 

Psalm 42:11 (NASB)

Have you heard this one? Why did the preacher give a sermon on gardening? Because he wanted to talk about “soul”-ful planting.

My husband is a pastor, so I think we’ve heard every preacher joke. But taking care of yourself is not a joking matter. Have you ever considered we are all pastors to our own soul? In Psalm 42:11, David spoke to his soul and gave himself instructions to change his perspective. We speak to ourselves all the time. I’ve heard another say, “You idiot, why did you do that?” Or, “Duh. What a dumb thing to say!”

Our Women’s Bible Study Group is working through a book where Lauren Ibach says,

“When we continually preach the gospel to ourselves and seek Jesus through His Word and prayer, we are strengthened by Christ and our joy increases!”

The phrase, “preach the gospel to ourselves,” captured my imagination. What if we spoke life into ourselves instead of defeat? What if we encouraged our hearts like David instead of belittling our efforts?

Exercise:

1. Kathy Carlton Willis says, “The work that takes place in our souls is as important as measurable productivity.” How would you measure soul care? What goals could you set to work on the nurture of your inner life?
2. Edie Melson says, “Writing is an exhausting endeavor, and we cannot do it effectively when the well is dry.” What can you do to refill your well? What refreshes and energizes you?
3. Read Psalm 103:1. What did the author tell himself to do? How does praise change your focus?
4. Read Matthew 16:24-27. What does Jesus say we must do to preserve our soul? Why does relinquishment go against our natural inclination?
5. Read 2 Timothy 4:17. What are we to do? Who is with us? Where is He? How does He help? Why is this action important?

As we “preach the gospel to ourselves,” we are reinforcing the love God has for each of His children and the message He wants to share with the world. Let’s model the gospel to ourselves and fill up the well that it may overflow to others!

How do you tend your soul?

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net