Refresh Your Soul

Everyday consists of choices, choices that can lead to patterns, and patterns that create a lifestyle. Does your lifestyle bring you life? Do you even like your lifestyle?

Scripture says life is only just a vapor. We cannot stop time, but we can make good use of it.


My life has become so busy! There's always a reason to be busy, but I don't want to always have to scramble for time; when that happens I know I need a refresh. It's when I become so busy that I start to disconnect from God, then I disconnect from people. There's always an excuse -- and sometimes we really can't help it! But that's when we have to make sacrifices.

Sacrifices may look like giving up a couple of extra hours of sleep to stay up talking to a friend in need, or spending your only free day of the week driving a family member to run their errands.

Our praise is a sacrifice. How can praise be a sacrifice? Because we give up our focus that was on something to then give to God. We may not always feel like praising Him, but once we do, it refreshes our soul and gives us the strength to keep going with our day.
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13: 15,16
"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!" Psalms 50:23
We cannot let our feelings dictate our choices; sometimes our feelings can lead us to disastrous things. Just like if I were to allow my feelings to direct me when I'm angry I would then say things to others that I will regret later on. Our feelings come from our souls, and we have authority over our souls.

King David spoke to his soul many times because he had to remind his soul of who God is and why He is worthy to be praised. His stress, worries, guilt, and many other emotions were running amok, he knew he had to settle down and praise. Psalms 103:
Remember his benefits, he forgives, he redeems your life from the pit, he crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, he satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Stepping back and just reminding yourself of who God is and all that He's done renews your strength and gives you the breath to fully breathe.
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?" Psalms 42: 1,2
How refreshing is it to drink a glass of ice water after a long run? After all the sweat and effort, your mouth is dry, legs are weak; and you just thirst. Your soul experiences that weakness as well, after feeling hurt or neglected, it pants. But once you enter in to God's dwelling place, you realize all that you were missing:
"How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God." Psalms 84:1,2
I always feel a tug in my heart even when I feel so far away from the Lord. He calls me to read His word, and always to pray with a friend -- these are the things that I need for a refresh.

Spending time with others who truly know you gives them the opportunity to notice that you're not being yourself. They will refresh your soul by reminding you of who you are and who you are called to be.
"I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people." 1 Corinthians 16:17,18
What's beautiful about relationships is God will press on people's hearts to reach out to their friend. Being obedient to that tug will create the space that friend needs to refresh their soul, cultivating many benefits that will follow.

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