Good for Your Soul
Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. – Psalm 33:20 NKJV.
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. – Psalm 94:14 NKJV.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. – Proverbs 16:24 NKJV.
Kate Steinle was walking with her father along the Pier 14 waterfront in San Francisco when she was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant. Pier 14 is a popular tourist spot and gathering spot for local residents. Kate was out for an evening stroll with her Dad. She was just 32-years-old. Liz Sullivan told the San Francisco Chronicle soon after her daughter was killed that it was unbelievable, surreal, and “I don’t think I’ve totally grasped it.” The killer is Francisco Sanchez who is an illegal immigrant, reportedly a drug dealer who has been deported at least five times (Although having used 30 aliases over 25 years it could possibly be more.). Brad Steinle, Kate Steinle’s older brother wrote this: “The day before Kate died she changed her Facebook cover photo with a saying that said ‘Whatever’s good for your soul……….do that.’ Please always remember Kate and live your life by these words.” (From multiple news venues)
So, what is good for your soul? I do not believe we can fully understand what is good for our soul unless we understand what is bad for the soul. The Bible makes it clear what is bad for the soul. 1 Peter 2:11 tells us that “fleshly lusts war against the soul.” Lot living in the evil of Sodom and Gomorrah “tormented (vexed – KJV)” his soul day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds (2 Peter 2:4-9).” If we commit adultery we destroy our own soul (Proverbs 6:32). According to Proverbs 15:32, he who “disdains” instruction in righteousness, “despises his own soul.” By being around angry people you may learn their ways (Proverbs 22:24-25) and “set a snare for your soul.” If you sin against God, you wrong your soul and love death (Proverbs 8:37).
From learning what is bad for our soul, we can see what is good for our soul. These things are good: abstaining from sin, being around godly people, the Bible, praying, church, helping others, having a generous heart, and putting God first in our lives. The number one thing, or should I say person that is good for our soul, is Jesus. Only through Jesus, can we have eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is the “anchor of our soul.” Let us “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14).” Therefore, whatever is good for your soul…do that!