Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Taking care of your soul”
Our Bible verse for today: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “A healthy soul helps us to remain peaceful and confident in the face of adversity”
In my role as a pastor I tend to be allowed into people’s lives at a deeper level than most others typically are. People usually have enough trust and confidence in their pastor to open up and share with him some of the deeper and more painful struggles they’re dealing with. That being the case, one thing I have learned over the years is that everybody has issues. There’s nobody out there that doesn’t have something painful and difficult in their life. Even if it isn’t outwardly obvious, deep inside it’s there. It’s like C.S. Lewis once observed, “There is always one thing more going on in each person’s life of which you know absolutely nothing.”
Therefore everyone can use an extra dose of confidence, assurance, and peace. It’s God who provides this. One of the most frequent refrains in the Bible is “Do not fear.” Over and over again God’s people are told that they have no reason to live in fear because God is with us, He will strengthen us, and He will help us. And always, that promise comes to us within the context of a healthy and vibrant relationship with God. The deeper and more dynamic that relationship is, the more peace and confidence we will have, even in the face of difficult and painful circumstances.
This is one of the great rewards of soul-care. When we are intentionally and consistently doing the things necessary, on a daily basis to care for the soul, it nurtures our relationship with the Lord. That then results in increased peace, confidence, assurance, and less fear. A healthy soul does indeed help us to be peaceful and confident in the face of adversity.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 