Soul Prosperity
‘I pray that … your soul prospers.’
3 John: 2
John wrote, ‘I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.’ For your soul to prosper you must: 1) Question your doubts and not your faith. We spend too much time dwelling on our misgivings, and experiencing faith as an occasional flash in the pan. God’s promises are for ‘believers’, so start believing what He says. 2) Not be a ‘Lone Ranger’. It’s no coincidence that the Old Testament tells the story of God’s ‘people’, and the Epistles were addressed to ‘congregations’. We grow as we relate – not isolate! 3) Guard your thought life. Practise mind management! When your ‘thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if [it’s] controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace’ (Romans 8:6 NCV). 4) Fall asleep and wake up immersed in gratitude. It’ll transform your day. ‘In everything give thanks’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV). 5) Get rid of anything that distracts you from God. Limit the time you spend on the phone or watching TV.6) Always err on the side of mercy. Philip Yancey writes, ‘I marvel at the humility of a God who descends to live inside His flawed creatures, but do I show that same attitude toward people of whom I disapprove?’ 7) Be specific, and not revert to generalities when discussing your faith. Paul wasn’t ‘ashamed of the gospel’ (Romans 1:16 NKJV), and neither should you be. 8) Be gracious to those who irk you. Remember, God chose them too! Sometimes it’s easier to be gracious to nonbelievers than to uptight, judgemental Christians. But that just makes you a different kind of judgemental! 9) Forgive those who hurt you. Harbouring hatred hinders healing; instead, bring your hurts to God.