This past weekend I started reading a book called, How's Your Soul? by Judah Smith. I could not put the book down once I started. The book is about the health of our souls, and how often they get overlooked. It explores the cycle of day to day life and how repetitive and tedious is becomes. Judah talks about his personal experiences and uses his mistakes to help guide us in gaining a better understanding of what is actually going on inside of us.
 
I am almost completely finished with the book, and I ultimately keep coming back to the first chapter. There was something in that chapter that really spoke to me, and I want to share that with you.
 
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 John 1:2
 
Each and everyone of us has a soul. Each and everyone of us wants our souls to be healthy, right? We spend so much time and money on our outward appearances, do we ever stop and think about the inside of us?
 
"We can be the most popular, prosperous, pretty people around, but inside we can still be empty. Until our souls are at peace, until our souls are stable, until our souls are healthy, those external things won't bring us the satisfaction we long for."
 
The only true way to find peace, prosperity, and stability is with God. We have tricked ourselves in believing the lie that wealth and beautiful bodies will lead to a lifetime of joy, but that is not the case. Those things are fleeting, but God is everlasting. When God designed us, he had so much more in store for us than just simply to survive.
 
Yes, life can get tough. There is so many twists and turns and tragedies that will rock you soul to the core, but wouldn't you much rather have God at the center of all that, being your anchor? I know I would.
 
"Then the Lord God formed the man from dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature." Genesis 2:7
 
When God breathed life into Adam, that is when and only when, he became a living soul. Our souls were created by God, and they long for God. He gave us the gift of life, and He is essential to a healthy soul.
 
I believe working out and eating healthy are so important in our everyday lives. However, I am starting to realize just how important our inside health is as well. I feel a connection with God, that I have not felt for a long time since starting this book. I feel so much peace and joy in my soul.
 
So I ask you, is it well with your soul?

This past month I have had the "Don't cross oceans for people who wouldn't even cross a puddle for you" type of attitude. What I mean by that is, I don't text people first, I don't try and find time in my busy schedule for people anymore if they aren't trying as well, and I have been focusing more on myself. It is easy to have this mindset because it protects you. It doesn't allow you to get hurt by people. During this past month I found myself feeling isolated and alone, and somewhat bitter towards everyone. Obviously this new attitude of mine was not working for me, and I realized how flawed it was.
 
I had a revelation the other day that is making me change this new outlook of mine. I believe there are certain type of people in this world. There is the givers and the receivers. Don't get me wrong, everyone has the ability to give and receive, but I believe one or the other is more dominant in someones personality. When I talk about giving compared to receiving, I'm not talking about giving gifts, or doing nice things for people, or even volunteering. I'm talking about putting others before yourself and making sure that everyone else around you is happy before you yourself are happy.
 
The givers go out of their way for people. They value friendships and relationships more than most. They don't like being alone, and will always be there for you when you need them. My mother, who is one of my role models is a BIG TIME giver. I don't think I have actually ever seen her 'receive'. She gives everything she has to her kids, my dad, and her friendships. I find myself being a lot like my mom in this aspect.
 
If there is one thing I know for sure, it is that I will never stop being a giver. I feel like I have been called to live my life selflessly, and with love. I know that I won't be able to love flawlessly, but I can try and model the one who can and did -- Jesus. I can text the friend who is struggling with finals, or relationships, or pointless drama. I can make that effort to think of what I can do for others instead of myself. Living this way is not always easy, and it can take a toll on you if you aren't careful.
 
It is important to have time for yourself and to do what makes you happy. You have to take care of yourself at least in minimal and appropriate ways in order to be able to be helpful to others. What I have learned about being a 'giver' is that it can be very exhausting at times. If you are not careful you can find parts of yourself being taken away, or even feel taken advantage of. It is really all about balancing that compassion you have.
 
Instead of having that, "Don't cross oceans for people who wouldn't even cross a puddle for you" attitude, have the "Cross oceans, climb mountains, do whatever you have to do for people who need you," because that is how Jesus lived his life.
 
"Loving selflessly, walking humbly, and giving myself generously."

Fear -- what a strange emotion. I have experienced fear far too many times in my lifetime, and I know I will experience it again. It has made me quit things before even fully starting them, it has made me miss great opportunities, and unfortunately,  it has stopped me from doing many different things in my life. Going back to my first statement, fear -- what a strange emotion...but that is just it, its an emotion. It is a feeling we have during certain circumstances. Even though feelings can be valid and are meant to be felt, we shouldn't always make our decisions based off them. That is where I struggle, I have based my decisions around my fear way too many times in my life.
 
Fear of failure is a common fear. If you ask anybody, they will tell you of a time they have felt afraid to try something because they thought they would fail. Fear is a liar! Fear whispers to us over and over again until it is rooted into our hearts and we mistake it to be truth. "You aren't good enough." "You are not brave enough." "You can't make a difference." We hear these things over and over, until we just give up. I know this feeling all too well. I care what people think, and I don't want to let anyone down, so just not doing it, is so much easier then to try and fail.
 
However, while fear is whispering to you, "You are not enough." God is reaching out His hand saying, "You are enough, and you are loved." Let me tell you, that is truth! We need to hold on to that promise from God. Over the past couple months I have had to push aside that paralyzing fear, and lay it on the cross. I am reminded daily that Jesus has already taken that fear, and replaced it with love

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 27:1
 
I know that fear will continue to try and root its way into my heart, but I am no longer going to let it hold me back to what God is doing in my life. I know He has big plans to use me for a greater purpose then I ever thought imaginable. Whatever you feel God is calling you to do in your own life, I hope you don't let fear get in the way because fear is a liar.
 
 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

During this Covid-19 pandemic I think we are all feeling some sort of isolation, loneliness, and frustration.If you are feeling alone and are yearning to feel connected to others, here is a list of 4 things you can do today to combat feelings of loneliness.

1. Be the Friend You Need
There has been so many times in my life, I will look at my phone only to find no new messages, phone calls, or notifications. I instantly start feeling disappointed, even though I know that the phone works both ways. When I do reach out to family members or friends, I feel better and they are always so glad to hear from me. You may be just the person that a friend needs during this time. So don't wait for everyone else to reach out, send those text messages, Face-Time a loved one, or write a letter. Stop focusing inward on yourself, focus on others and those feelings of loneliness will disappear.

"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." Proverbs 27:9

2. Utilize Your Time
Try and utilize the extra time you have. Sitting around just makes you feel lonely, so resist that urge to just do nothing. Loneliness has a way of paralyzing you, if you let it. You do not have to do a bunch of extravagant things, even just writing in a journal, reading a new book, or going for a walk will do.

3. Recognize God's Presence
King David is a great example of someone who felt so much disappointment, isolation, and loneliness. He became disheartened and discouraged. Don't let the feelings of loneliness become your mindset. Know that your God is present with you today and always. Cry out to Him in prayer and let Him surround you with His peace. Once David cried out to God, he felt His goodness.  Even Jesus himself felt the feelings of loneliness on the cross. He was despised, rejected, and left on a cross to die. Jesus is familiar with pain, suffering, and loneliness. Jesus can empathize with these feelings because he has experienced them.

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in You."  Psalm 25:16-21

4. Read the Word
As you read the bible you will find so many scriptures that will fill your soul with peace, and comfort. What better way to combat loneliness then to sit and listen to your Father in Heaven?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

It is okay if you are feeling lonely during this time, it is completely normal. It is our natural instinct to pull back and wait for others to reach out, but I encourage you to do the opposite. Reach out to others, they want to hear from you, try something new, dive deep into God's word and listen for His voice, and know Jesus is with you always, you are never alone.