Have you ever had a conversation with your soul? I not talking about positive thinking or affirming self-talk, but a literal and powerful interaction with your soul.
This morning my soul was stirred up with impatience, frustration and discontent. It felt like a rising force within me, like a pot bubbling over in a roiling boil, and I could neither turn it off nor ignore it. I tried to think about other things, to pray, to be thankful, to recite Scripture, all to no avail.
So, I asked a question inspired by Psalm 42:5, “Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?”
Dallas Willard describes the soul as the computer that controls our lives. The hardware and the software, the heart and the brain, of a life all wrapped up into a “soul.” Like my laptop that I take for granted until it crashes, my soul hums along without much notice until it becomes infected, corrupted, or otherwise compromised.
My morning soul chat revealed that I had been infected with viruses of selfishness, impatience, in short, sin. To the best of my knowledge, I had not invited the viruses; they barged in themselves.
Having identified the corruption in my soul, I found I was powerless to fix it with my own mental efforts. I needed more power, and thankfully I knew where to get it.
So, I said to my soul, in Jesus’ name, that impatience and discontent had no right to be there, that Jesus is Lord of my soul and that these feelings were not from him. Then I asked the Holy Spirit to replace my simmering self with Himself.
And He did. Just like that.
With my posture straightened and my attitude adjusted, I challenged my soul with a phrase that I learned from Deborah, a prophetess and judge in ancient Israel, “March on, my soul; be strong!” (Judges 5:21b)
And so, praise God, I march into my day knowing that it is well with my soul.
Have you ever had a chat with your soul?
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11
Note: Credit goes to Jennifer Rosthchild and her Bible study Me, Myself and Lies for pointing me to these ideas and references.
Connecting Dots...to God 
Great post. I believe the more sincere we are with ourselves the closer we come to our answers and the wisdom we seek. Thanks for sharing Judy! 🙂
Wow! Judy, I love this post! I’ve been wanting to visit your blog. I’m so glad I finally had a chance to check out your latest entry. Thank you for reminding me to pay attention to my soul.
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11).
I love this Caddo!
Thoughts and feelings are just what they. Are, it’s what we do with them and you did wonders with yours – with a little help as you suggest.
After an experience such as this my day’s favourite phrase was always “onward Christian soldiers”!! It never used to help me then when I was a out 16 but I think maybe now it does, a little anyway 🙂
Much love
Christine xx
Yes – that is another wonderful phrase/hymn to encourage us to march onward! Thanks for stopping by, Christine.
Reblogged this on Caddo Veil and commented:
Not to dismiss/diminish the complicated, challenging times that we all face, but for the “everyday, non-crisis” times, I really liked Judy’s simple and do-able post today–so I “grabbed it up” to share with y’all! God bless you big–love, sis Caddo
Thanks Caddo:)
Good post Judy. I love the phrase, “March on, my soul; Be strong!” I know will have use for the often!
Isn’t that a great verse? It is always encouraging to simply say that to my soul. Thanks for commenting, Carol, and march on! (I know you will:)
Had to examine my soul this morning too. Thanks for the reminder!
I should probably do it every morning, but sometimes it’s an absolute necessity! Thanks for your thoughts!
“…Have you ever had a chat with your soul?
After 27 years, I’ve learned it’s a continual chat because my soul always wants to listen to my flesh first of all. And my flesh always wants to quit and give up because there is no hope in sight. After all, God wants to teach me a lesson and watch me suffer forever!
But my spirit man quietly whispers, “Things are going to work out because your steps are ordered by God. Just keep on trusting in Him and your paths will be straightened.”
So, I tell my soul, “Quit listening to my stinking flesh and let’s follow my spirit. NOW!”
Larry, I hope Judy won’t mind if I butt in here, because you said something that God highlighted in BOLD for me! It was your little phrase “no hope in Sight”. I say that All the time. God just said to me, “There’s your problem, sugar–you’re looking with your Earthly/human eyes/mind. Forget about what you can’t Literally SEE/Figure out–just ignore that altogether, and HOPE with My Spirit, which I’ve planted permanently inside you.” Yes, Lord, YES!!! Thanks, Lar–thanks, Judy (and Big thanks, God!) love, sis Caddo
You tell ’em Larry!
Oh THIS is Fabulous, Judy!! Is it okay to print this out for myself? This is just so simple, and do-able–wow, you’re an angel! I’m wondering if that Bible Study is available online too–“Me, Myself and Lies” sounds excellent. God bless you most abundantly today (it’s Friday!)–love, sis Caddo
PS–I’m thinking I’d like to reblog this, Judy–would that be okay?
Of course, Caddo, feel free to use anyway that you’d like! Have a wonderful weekend!