What does it mean to have a prospering soul? If your physical health was in the same condition that your spiritual health is, how healthy would you be? Vibrant health includes more than the physical condition of our bodies. Are you neglecting the health of your soul in your pursuit of your best life? 3 John 2 shows that as we grow in faith, spiritual blessings overflow into other areas of life. In this post you will find 10 Bible Verses for a healthy soul.
“… In all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”–3 John 2–NASB
How often I get this backwards; I work on increasing health and the practicalities of life, paying attention to my soul only if there is time left over. You know the drill: finish the work, loose the weight, clean the house, make the meal…
We tend to get overly focused on the outward things, skewing our priorities. Maybe it’s a health issue, a broken relationship, or an unmet goal. We do all the doing and then wonder why discontent or weariness buzzes like white noise in the background of our thoughts.
[tweetthis]If your physical health was in the same condition as your spiritual health, how healthy would you be?[/tweetthis]
As I read this tucked-away verse, my breath catches on the phrase, “as your soul prospers.”
Soul prospers.
Dead stop, my attention is on full alert as I sense that God has something to show me.
Taking time to investigate meaning brings the word prosper to life as I savor the nuances that hide between the letters. In this context, prosper has to do with the success of a good journey, as well as to thrive, grow, and increase. Growing in a deeper life with God nurtures a healthy soul.
Yes, this is what we are longing for: to live well, grow, and thrive in the whole of life.
If we only attend to soul matters if there is leftover time, we quickly trip over this truth: time doesn’t come in left-overs.
Nurturing our soul is an intentional choice.
Friend, you are the only one who can make the decision to care for your soul. Others can poke and prod, should and ought, or encourage and nudge, but no one can take care of your interior world but you.
After all, as Dr. Suess says, “”Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”
[tweetthis]Nourish your gifts, thoughts, emotions, dreams, and beliefs through the power of the Holy Spirit.[/tweetthis]
I don’t know about you, in the schedule of the day, this is an easy truth to forget. Soul care gets buried under the pile constantly calling for our attention.
A prospering soul doesn’t happen in a single moment.
The language in this verse points to a journey, step by step as we walk out what it means to believe God.
We navigate the joys and challenges of life with a heart that chooses to love God
in spite of…
instead of…
in light of…
because of…
Each choice becomes a step that moves us either closer or farther away from God. Which direction are you moving these days?
Razor-sharp perception pierces: as the soul prospers, other areas of life increase. This is not the plastic promise of a prosperity gospel. The soul prospering is happening, and John is praying that now health and “all respects” might prosper as well. His prayer is a request for blessing.
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#spiritualgrowth”]The soul that prospers is the soul satisfied in God.[/tweetthis]
The prosperous soul is learning to live out of the fullness of God’s Spirit, rather than out of the strivings of the flesh, a self-focused heart.
- The flesh will leave me spent and weary with my soul withering.
- Seeking to enjoy spiritual blessings without trusting in Christ leaves my soul working to prosper, rather than resting to prosper.
- In quiet trust, my soul lays down its self-work, self-ambition, and self-solutions and waits to be filled to all the fullness of Christ.
A prospering soul is the end of encouragement. John Piper writes, “God is most glorified when we are. most satisfied in Him.” This quote points us to the core of a healthy, prospering soul.
This life-giving energy strengthens me—not to solve every issue of life—but to know in greater measure the fullness of Christ. Spiritual growth feeds our soul in a powerful way.
What is the condition of your soul life today?
Are you increasing in soul health? If not, join me as I follow the advice of the One who put the stars in place:
10 Bible Verses to Nurture a Healthy Soul
- “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”–Matthew 6:33 NASB
- “The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”–Psalm 19:7 NASB
- “The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul…”–Psalm 23:1-3 NASB
- “Who is the person who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will dwell in prosperity…”–Psalm 25:12-13 NASB
- “Trust in the Lord and do good; Live in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”–Psalm 37:3-5 NASB - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.–Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB
- “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”–Proverbs 16:24
- “And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’”–Matthew 22:37 NASB
- “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.–Hebrews 4:12 NASB
- “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”– 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB
What can you do today to thrive in your soul How healthy is your soul?
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- How to Care for Your Soul: Best Tips from 13 Christian Bloggers
Thrive in Your Soul with Holy Choices
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So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
This is so good, Ginger. Convicting, to be sure. So man great gems here … I love this one. “Each choice becomes a step that moves us either closer or farther away from God.” Scheduling for Monday!!
Thanks for stopping by, Diane. I’m tickled your sharing–makes my day. You are a blessing.
Too often we don’t think about proactively caring for our spiritual health. Out of sight, out of mind. But from our spiritual health, everything else comes! Thanks for sharing this encouraging word, Ginger. Food for thought and actions to take.
For me, it’s easy to overlook the idea of spiritual health. I am often reminded of Matthew 6:33–to seek first His Kingdom and trust Him to bring all else into proper perspective. Blessings today, Lisa.
So important to take care of our soul health – our spiritual heart. I find when I put that first, my life and day flow so much better. Thanks, Ginger.
Yes, it truly does. And when the day doesn’t go better, we are better prepared to rest in faith in the midst of it.
Love this! It was so convicting! So I set aside time for prayer and Bible reading each day, but still feel like I dedicate much more time to the care of soooo many other things. Thank you so much for this great reminder.
Hi Patti, I hope some of these verses will open some great conversations with God. He is the best source for a healthy soul and He can show you just what you need.
Nurturing our soul IS an intentional choice. I love how you focused on this. I love this verse in I John too and use it in my health business as well.
That’s really fun! I had never noticed this verse, but the phrase about prospering your soul, really jumped out at me. I’m great at intentional choices…for about 5 minutes. Then I get distracted. This is a mindset God is working into my life more fully.
This is my “Go To” scripture 3 John 2. It allows me to remain focus on my Body, Soul and Spirit. I foster this into my Welness Business also.
Thank you for sharing
I love it when God writes His truths so deeply into our lives and then gives us opportunity to help others in their journey. Body, soul, and spirit points to an integrated way of living that foster true health.