SOUL CARE

SOUL CARE

By: Kristin Vandermolen, MSW, RSW

Published On: July 17, 2014

When a person comes in for the first, I often will say my approach is “holistic”. This means we talk about how they are doing with their physical body, their thinking, feelings, and spiritual well being. Often people are able to articulate their eating and physical activity patterns. Sometimes they recognize negative thought patterns or messages that they have. One area that is often “tip toed” around is soul care. This might be listening to music, a walk in nature, spending time with a loved one, or volunteering.

The following exercise is one way you can nurture your soul connection with God.

Greeting God

Invite God to be with you. Maybe you have not talked to Him before or in a while and tell him so. You can say it out loud, write it down, type it out on your computer, or draw a picture. Ask Him to speak to you and give you ears to hear His voice. Ask Him to open your mind and heart to receive His presence. Welcome the Holy Spirit as your guide, counselor, and healer. Welcome Jesus, as God’s Son and your victorious Saviour.

Listening to God

Find a comfortable place. Close your eyes. Put your hand on your chest and feel your breath going in and out. Sink into your space. Let the tension lift off our body as you breath out. Be present to your body and mind. Feel your arms and legs getting more heavy and relaxed. Keep breathing.

Meeting God

As you relax, imagine a safe place. Maybe it’s a place where you can feel the sun on your face. Maybe it’s somewhere you like to vacation. What do you smell? What do you hear? This is a safe place and a peaceful place. This is a place filled with anticipation and expectation. Invite Jesus to join you in this place. Welcome Him.

Read aloud His words …
My Dear Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Ps 139:1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2)
I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-30)
For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27)
In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28)
I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
I knit you together in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16)

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (I John 3:1)
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (I John 3:7)
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11)
For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48)
Every good gift you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17)
For I am your provider and I meet your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3))
For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5)
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3)
For if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18)
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.(Revelation 21:3-4)
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5;18-19)
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (I John 4:10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32)

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (I John 2:23)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-29)
When it’s time for you to come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7)
I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)
I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)
What stands out for you in these words? Underline it. Do you have a picture or word that comes into your mind?

You may like to look up the rest of the passage in your bible and read some more around it.

What do you want to say to him in response to his words?

Is there something you want to ask Jesus?

Is there something you want to confess?

Is there something you are grateful for?

As an act of soul care and response to these words do you want to: sing? draw? Journal? Write a poem? Give someone a hug? Colour a picture? Sing a song? Dance? Nap?

If you want to explore soul care further it would be my delight to journey with you.