Spring Cleaning

It’s that time of the year, spring cleaning!  If you’re anything like me, you’re cleaning out your closet to make more space for a new wardrobe.  Cleaning out my closet gives me a sense of relief and peace.  Immediately, my mental health and well-being are recharged.  I’m able to find clarity and focus.  That’s why soul care is important to cultivate in your daily life to have a more intimate relationship with God and others.

God cares about you and you matter to Him.  It’s important to care for your soul so you can rest in Him.  When you care for your soul, you allow God to be your focus and you make room for Him to rejuvenate and refresh your spirit, soul, and body.

Have you ever noticed when your mental health is declining in a downward spiral, everything else starts to pile up like laundry and dishes?  Or perhaps your personal hygiene starts to deteriorate.  Those are immediate signs for you to get with God and make room for Him to soul care.  People often use self-care and soul care simultaneously however, soul care is partnering with God in order to rest.

How can you care for your soul?  Just like cleaning out your closet to make room for new things, it’s also important to clean out your thoughts.  Apostle Paul says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)  By taking a daily inventory of your thoughts, you’re able to mediate and identify who you are to God versus what the world says and keep His peace and rest in Him.

Perhaps it’s time to clean out some people in your life so God can bring new people.  Soul care allows you to cultivate an intimate relationship not only with God but also with others.  God never intended for you to be isolated and alone.  He designed you for community.  Psalm 133:1 reads, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (NIV)  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”  (NIV)  By having a community, you can call a trusted friend who will love and build you up during challenging circumstances.  Community is essential for soul care.

Surrendering to God is soul care.  Stop getting in His way.   When you surrender, you let go of the wheel and start to rely on God and His confidence and capabilities versus your own.  Jeremiah 32:17 reads, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”  (NIV)  Nothing is too hard for God.  You can trust Him.  He’s got your back.

Soul care allows you to experience more of God.  So spring clean away!  He’ll give you clarity and focus.  Allow Him to refresh and rejuvenate your spirit, soul, and body.  Invite God’s presence and shout “O God.. My soul thirsts for you”  It is with our soul that we thirst for God.” (Psalm 63:1 NIV)