What Summer Teaches Us About Soul Care
Summer teaches us to care for our soul.
Summer invites us to linger longer on the front porch or back deck. A glass of iced tea or lemonade and we’re all set.
Summertime welcomes us to pause from the hectic pace. It beckons us to relax by the pool or in a cozy hammock.
Because we are often intentional to care for our bodies in summer.
And we participate in outdoor activities, gather with friends and family, foster recreation, and plan time off work to travel and go on vacation.
Yet, sometimes caring for our soul falls off the radar.
Still, in this slower rhythm of summer, the Lord also desires to teach us how to care for our soul.
So here are 6 tips for S.U.M.M.E.R soul care. And they teach us how to care for our soul all year long.
S – Satisfy our soul with what only God provides: Summer Teaches Us
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (Psalm 107:9, ESV).
“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish” (Jeremiah 31:25, ESV).
Like we long to vacation at the beach, hope to relax at a tropical resort, or desire to fill our summer with joyful activities, our soul longs for good things as well. The Lord wants us to slow down long enough to spend time in His presence. And let Him satisfy, fill, and replenish our soul with His goodness.
The Lord wants us to slow down long enough to spend time in His presence. And let Him satisfy, fill, and replenish our soul with His goodness. Share on XU – Understand the role Scripture plays in our soul’s wellness.
“My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” (Psalm 119:28, ESV).
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” (Psalm 19:7a, ESV)
Just as many physical activities in summer like swimming, biking, hiking, walking, and sports, strengthen our physical bodies, the Word of God revives and strengthens our soul.
M – Magnify the Lord’s holiness and praise His name: Summer Teaches Us
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Psalm 103:1, NIV).
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11, NIV).
When we take our eyes off others and ourselves, and look up to the Lord; and when we magnify the Lord instead of life’s cares and burdens, our soul thrives instead of just survives.
M – Make seeking and loving God a priority.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
When asked what is the greatest commandment, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37, NIV).
As we seek God and not the world, and love Him above all else, it radically transforms us and our soul.
E – Examine the habits that help or hurt our soul: Summer Teaches Us
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2, NIV).
John knew complete wellness included not only the body, but also the soul. What habits promote our soul’s health? Or, what habits damage our soul’s wellness?
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2, NIV). Share on XR – Rest our soul in the Lord.
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him” (Psalm 62:1, NIV).
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures…leads me beside still waters…restores my soul” (Psalm 23:1-3a, ESV).
Many of us are running through life at breakneck speed instead of resting in the Lord.
Let the slower rhythm of life in summer teach us to rest our souls in the God of our salvation. He alone saves our soul and He alone restores our soul.
Let the slower rhythm of life in summer teach us to rest our souls in the God of our salvation. He alone saves our soul and He alone restores our soul. Share on XSummer Soul Care
I hope and pray your S.U.M.M.E.R soul care showcases how your soul is getting along well. (3 John 1:2)
How can these ways to care for your soul help you practice soul care in every season?
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Last week’s article, How We Love Others as Jesus With Skin.
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This is another wonderfully creative acronym, Karen! Summer is such a perfect time to intentionally slow down and take stock of where our souls are and/or should be. May we all take the time to reflect.
Blessings!
Hey Martha, I like this, “…intentionally slow down and take stock of where our souls are and/or should be.” If we would only evaluate and reevaluate our soul care every season, it would make all the difference. God bless!
Amen. Jesus rested. We need rest, too. A time of rest can renew the body, mind, and soul. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
God bless! “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him” (Psalm 62:1, NIV).
We need to rest spiritually, physically and mentally.
True! The Lord created us body, soul, and spirit. It makes sense to rest in all three ways! God bless!
I think my soul needs lots of summers – summer all year long! These are great suggestions for summertime as we do life a little differently. I especially like this: “when we magnify the Lord instead of life’s cares and burdens, our soul thrives instead of just survives.” Thanks for this and the other 5 reflections.
Our soul definitely needs care all year long! I pray we learn how to magnify the Lord no matter our circumstances! “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish” (Jeremiah 31:25, ESV).
Karen, this is such an encouraging message! Just what I needed. I appreciate how you point us back to Christ and our deepest need which is to abide in Him. May we slow down and enjoy Him in every moment!
“enjoy Him every moment” Yes! “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (Psalm 107:9, ESV).
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I get in such a rush, but we are better when we can slow down and savor all the blessings God provides. It also gives us a chance to be open to the way He wants us to respond.
That’s a good point, Jessica. When we are running at breakneck speed, who knows what we might miss on our path, and can’t even hear the Lord clearly.
Thank you. I am taking your encouragement to heart Karen. Happy summer
Happy summer to you, Yvonne.
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