The Ugly Truth About Soul Care
Lately, I’ve been really dry spiritually. Thirsty. Not super close to the LORD.
I don’t like to admit that. No one does. It makes us feel guilty or ashamed. Like we are a bad Christian if we’re not walking in ecstasy with Jesus.
Or afraid of being judged. Some will automatically insist I’m harboring some secret sin, making God feel far away.
I can assure you I’m not. I’m as much in love with Jesus as I’ve ever been. I desire to serve Him now more than ever. I know He is with me and I talk to Him regularly. I listen for His voice and read His Word. But I still feel dry.
Because the truth is, life drains us. We don’t have to be navigating a crisis to become depleted. We don’t have to be wrestling through some giant disappointment to feel distant from God. Life, every-day regular life, with all of its demands and to dos, drains us. And even when we’re doing everything right, we sometimes still feel empty.
Which is why we need soul care.
My Own Quest for Soul Care
In ten days, I’m grabbing a beloved sister, we’re heading into salty air, and sitting at the feet of Jesus at a conference. Soul care.
Sometimes we feel selfish saying we need it. Or think something must be wrong with us when we’re not overflowing with joy after our twenty minute quiet time. Often as women we regularly pour ourselves out for our families and friends, yet never slow down long enough to really receive. Or even reflect on how empty we actually are.
Not all soul care needs to be this extravagant. One of my most life altering spiritual moments happened while munching on snacks in my living room watching Steel Magnolias with my neighbors. A girl’s night in. This tired mama of toddlers relished in a night of some laughter and girl talk. (Really spiritual, right?!) In the middle of the movie, Shelby, played by Julia Roberts, says to her mother, “Mama, I’d rather go through this life with five minutes of wonderful, than a whole lifetime of nothing special!” and Sally Field, with tear filled eyes, nods her head in agreement. Instantly, I felt the LORD nudging me in the quietness of my heart. “Child, are you going to choose a predictable, comfortable, nothing special life, or are you going to really trust me and risk it all for five minutes of wonderful?”
Stepping Out and Stepping Up After Soul Care
Three weeks later I was leading a bible study in my living room with my neighbors. Thirty women from eleven different churches- or no church at all- crammed into the new girl in town’s home. (If you’ve ever lived in a small town in the south you know only God can bring a baptist and a pentecostal together in the same Bible study- LOL!) If I hadn’t taken the time for some soul care, would I have heard His voice and felt His leading? Only He knows. But sometimes I wonder how often I miss Him because I am incessantly scurrying around instead of allowing Him to speak and care for my soul.
Our Savior Sought Soul Care
I don’t know if you struggle with soul care because it feels selfish. I don’t know if you feel guilty or ashamed that you don’t feel closer to God. Truth be told, our feelings don’t really matter. Jesus often left the crowds to spend time with God. He sought Soul care. He only had three years to accomplish everything God clothed in human flesh came to do– and He still paused and pulled away. He reclined and relaxed with friends. So you and I can and should also.
Soul care. Because life drains and depletes us. And if we’ve poured ourselves out, we ought never to feel guilty or ashamed.
When was the last time you paused and pulled away for some soul care? What did you do?
Erica Wiggenhorn is the author of two bible studies and a video teaching series by Moody Publishers Women. To find out more about Erica’s writing and speaking ministry, you can visit her website at www.EricaWiggenhorn.com. You can view view her latest teaching video from The Unexplainable Church here!
As a “soul care” lay-counselor for others, I ask lots of questions. And I’ve found I can ask myself the same questions! Imperfectly of course, because at times, the hardest person to give soul care to is myself. Yet, asking “okay, what’s feeling threatened, right now, Kathy?” “What are you fearing will happen?” “What does this feeling remind you from childhood?” “How did you not trust God then and as a result characterize Him?” “Who is He really?” I’m so grateful I have my husband, sister, and others who ask me questions like these. So thank you, Erica, for sharing. Such important points! And so needed. Love you.
Thank you so much, Kathy, my ever wise friend, for sharing your practical tips and expertise in soul care! 🙌🏻❤️👌🏼 These are fantastic questions to help us focus on God and regain perspective!!!
😍 I hear you! Have treaded that dry dessert path many times. Last time I experienced soul care outside of my home was at a writer’s conference at The Cove in the Carolina mountains in February. One can’t ask for a more blessed setting.
Thanks for the momories, precious friend. Such a cherished time in your home that started an amazing journey for us both. . 😍 Starr
Indeed! Always and forever grateful to God for merging our paths and allowing you to speak so mightily into my life! Love you!
I’ve been hearing this message quite often lately. I think I’m todays day in age when we feel to need to do it all,self-care seems so selfish, but honestly, it’s probably more selfish NOT to. Without a refreshed heart, without rest, without a few moments to breathe, without some intentional margin, we are living on overload and fumes. Enjoy your conference, my friend, I pray it brings the quenching your heart craves!! 😘
I agree! Our own spiritual refreshment equips and enables us to refresh others. And often we are caught up serving in our own strength rather then His because we’ve been too busy to sit down and receive! Miss you so much my soul-filling friend 🙌🏻