As a mother of a young child, I am well aware of the dire need for soul care, but I am even more sensitive to the unavoidable reality that such care must fit within a 10-minute time frame. (No more and you’ll come back to reality to find a toy tractor in the bathroom or peanut butter stuck to the walls.)
Even if you are not in a similar season of life, there is definitely something else that will always consume you. As a teenager, you probably travel all over the place for ball games, band performances, recitals, etc. Or maybe you are in a season of sickness and find it almost unbearable to sit down and concentrate on the small print of the Bible. Or maybe it’s just October, which brings with it a busy calendar full of soccer practices, church festivals, and seasonal traditions.
Nevertheless, it is very important to find a little time and creative ways to care for your soul. No matter what we are facing, it is too precious to be ignored or defeated. But what does simple soul care look like when life hits a season of unpredictable chaos?
To be honest, I’m not a theology expert. We don’t have all the answers about the human soul. However, as someone who has had too much experience living in the midst of a hectic schedule of responsibilities and burdens, I can share some practices that I have found helpful (and even hopeful) for weary minds, hearts, and souls, especially during the fall season.
1. A moment of sunshine
Many people believe that autumn and winter are the seasons when you are “unwell” due to the changing weather, but this is not true. During the cold season, you are more susceptible to colds, flu, and other illnesses because you lack vitamin D, which greatly helps your immune system.
It’s not only chilly but also dark, which keeps us indoors, which results in less exposure to the sun, the easiest source of vitamin D. Therefore, it makes sense scientifically that our bodies become more susceptible to viruses, viral infections, and sinusitis.
We often forget that our mind, body, and soul are interconnected. Ignoring one naturally harms the others as well. So this October, take care of your soul by taking care of your body. Get outside, even if just for a few minutes (although most clinicians and holistic wellness practitioners recommend at least 20 minutes).
Soak up the sun’s rays on your body, whether you’re taking a brisk walk around the block or sitting on your porch swing drinking coffee. Let the gifts of God’s nature help your body and soothe your mind and soul. (Bonus points if you can use this quiet time in nature to pray, read the Bible, or listen to devotional audio!)
2. Tips for fun
A fellow believer recently told me this. “I believe God has called me to a life of suffering…God wants me to be holy, not happy.” While I understand and admire this woman’s willingness to suffer for God, I think this “be holy, not happy” sentiment contains very little necessary background detail.
I am not convinced that it is God’s will for people to be forever engulfed in chaos, sadness, and despair. In fact, while He was on earth, Jesus clearly said, “The thief comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus died an unimaginably brutal death and then defeated death so that our bodies, minds and souls could be freed from such an impossible weight.
God often uses our suffering to develop a Christ-like heart in us, but it is unwise to believe that God grows through our suffering. If you don’t believe me, think about when Jesus was on earth. Reread the Gospels and notice how Jesus spent his time. These include attending weddings, visiting with cousins, hosting meals, and participating in Jewish feasts and traditions.
Jesus was not a robot. He had a personality. Jesus probably danced at these weddings, joked with his cousins, sang songs around the table, and ate his favorite foods at Passover. He didn’t just survive life; he lived it. And I don’t think God expects anything more from us.
I’ll share this too. Recognize the joy God has given you and invest in it, even if it’s just 10 minutes each day. When you put your hands in the soil and take care of plants and flowers, you feel closer to God. Knowing this, I am slowly finding time to save up for new pots, stop by local plant nurseries, and have my toddler help me repot plants. I’m always amazed at how just taking a little time and tending to all the green things that grow in my life can change my mood and overall perspective for the day.
You may not care about anything about plants, and that’s perfectly fine. God created each of us uniquely. But think about whether playing a musical instrument or singing brings you joy. Consider exercising, painting, writing poetry, or even starting a charity work or volunteering at your local food bank. Find what most naturally brings you back to your Savior and enjoy each day.
3. Set some boundaries
One of the quickest ways to practice soul care during this busy fall season is to take a moment and respectfully, kindly, and firmly say, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have the time or ability to participate. Thank you for considering me!” Saying no to others can feel difficult or even impossible, especially if you’re afraid of disappointing or upsetting them, but it’s important to recognize that not everything can be done by you. You are a single person, limited by your time, finances, and abilities.
Establishing healthy boundaries with everyone, from co-workers and bosses to church friends and even family members, is essential and necessary. Without defining your abilities or expressing your likes and dislikes, people can easily assume they can do anything at any time, a feat impossible for any human being. What’s worse, trying to do all of these things all the time can burn out your body and quickly burn out your mind and soul. These are dangerous waters to dip your feet into. Not only does your body take a physical toll, but your mind and soul become too vulnerable to bitterness, pride, and a false sense of control.
This season, take a few minutes each week to care for your soul by planning your non-negotiable responsibilities. From there, add the designated time for service and add the designated time for fun. Incorporate your family, friends, and community into these aspects. Next, check how much time you have left for extracurricular activities. This will help you recognize your ability to respectfully and honestly say no when the situation no longer allows for the next few days.
Caring for the soul God has given us
As my friend said, God wants us to be holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 emphasizes this command when referring to Leviticus: “But as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all your deeds, for it is written, ‘Be ye holy, because I am holy.'” But holiness does not mean that we sacrifice the well-being of our souls.
Instead, we are commanded to renounce idols and sacrifice sin and selfishness for the comfort of our souls. Our souls are not meant to remain in a state of suffering, but to face difficult seasons and find the other side with renewed hope and faith in God’s mercy. But we won’t realize this goodness unless we feed our souls with good things: time to create, time to pursue God-given hobbies that bring us joy, time to avoid the stress this world causes.
Trust that God will protect your heart and soul as you seek to find God’s kindness in everyday life, pursue the joy that He gives us in the small moments of quiet sweetness, and strive to be more like Him.
May your soul rest in this grace: “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6, KJV).
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Sasha_Suzi
Peyton Garland is a writer, editor, and mom of a boy who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. For more encouragement, subscribe to her blog Uncured+OK.
