If you have ever been around an older person who has followed Jesus for a long time, you are bound to have heard them say – it is well with my soul.
It is such a Christianese phrase, and one that I would probably not use in a sentence [out loud], but it is definitely a phrase that I will declare in my heart. A phrase that I will repeat to remind myself that even when my body and mind are weak, it is well with my soul.
Have you asked yourself lately, how is my soul?
As humans we are not just body, or mind or spirit. We are a combination of all three, all working together as we navigate and experience life. Our mind can also be understood through our soul – the hub of all thinking and emotion.
Emotions can be deceptive. We may not always understand our emotions and our emotions can cause irrational behaviour because although our minds are responsible for our thoughts, our emotions often supersede rational thinking.
Sometimes, we give our soul a little too much permission in our lives. When we are overwhelmed we tend to give our soul a little too much control in how we react to resulting in being completely irrational – or in other words, emotional.
At the end of the day, we’re just human, and no matter how in control we perceive to be, it wouldn’t be normal if we didn’t at least have one irrational, emotional moment from time to time.
However, when we choose to let our spirit lead us, specifically a Spirit that is being led by the Holy Spirit, aligned to God’s values and character, our responses will be less irrational.
Influence Music with Michael Ketterer released a song a few years ago, and the lyrics really put this into perspective.
If You say “it’s wrong”
Then I’ll say “no”
If You say “release”
I’m letting go
If You’re in it with me
I’ll begin
And when You say “jump”
I’m diving in
If You say “be still”
Then I will wait
If You say to “trust”
I will obey
I don’t wanna follow my own ways
I’m done chasing feelings
Spirit lead me
In moments when I really want to follow my feelings, I need to choose to use my feelings for perspective, and to let the Spirit lead me.
When my soul and spirit are at war within my mind, I choose to remind my soul that it is well.
It may not feel like everything is okay, and honestly my world could literally be falling apart. But because our emotions are deceptive and want control, I remind my soul who is really in control. The one who encourages me to choose to be Spirit-led.
Chasing feelings is self-validating. We feel like we owe it to ourselves to have a reason to feel sad, mad or even glad. But truthfully, we are not entitled to any emotion, we are encouraged to be well.
I find it so encouraging that when people who walked with God, who were close to God, had a relationship with God were not in a healthy emotional state, and yes - they would have pity parties with God - but they didn’t choose to give their soul control.
Emotions are real and raw emotion expressed to God is healthy. Identifying what is causing emotions is healthy. Addressing what causes irrational expression of emotions is healthy.
I choose to express my raw emotion to God, while reminding myself that no matter what I am feeling, it is still well with my soul.
This is my declaration for the year.
May you be inspired to start each day reminding your heart and mind, it is well with my soul!
JCS