Summer is just around the corner. It invites us to linger longer on the front porch or back deck. A glass of iced tea or lemonade and we’re all set.
Summertime welcomes us to pause from the hectic pace. It beckons us to relax by the pool or in a cozy hammock.
But are we practicing soul care? Because we are often intentional to care for our bodies in summer. And we participate in outdoor activities (even exercise), gather with friends and family, foster recreation, and plan time off work to travel and go on vacation.
Yet, sometimes caring for our soul falls off the radar.
Still, in this slower rhythm of summer, the Lord also desires to teach us how to care for our soul.
So here are 6 tips for S.U.M.M.E.R soul care.
S – Satisfy our soul with what only God provides.
“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (Psalm 107:9, ESV).
“For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish” (Jeremiah 31:25, ESV).
Like we long to vacation at the beach, hope to relax at a tropical resort, or desire to fill our summer with joyful activities, our soul longs for good things as well. The Lord wants us to slow down long enough to spend time in His presence. And let Him satisfy, fill, and replenish our soul with His goodness.
The Lord wants us to slow down long enough to spend time in His presence. And let Him satisfy, fill, and replenish our soul with His goodness. @FridayKaren #summer Click To TweetU – Understand the role Scripture plays in our soul’s wellness.
“My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” (Psalm 119:28, ESV).
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” (Psalm 19:7a, ESV)
Just as many physical activities in summer like swimming, biking, hiking, walking, and sports, strengthen our physical bodies, the Word of God revives and strengthens our soul.
M – Magnify the Lord’s holiness and praise His name.
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Psalm 103:1, NIV).
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11, NIV).
When we take our eyes off others and ourselves, and look up to the Lord; and when we magnify the Lord instead of life’s cares and burdens, our soul thrives instead of just survives.
M – Make seeking and loving God a priority.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
When asked what is the greatest commandment, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’” (Matthew 22:37, NIV).
As we seek God and not the world, and love Him above all else, it radically transforms us and our soul.
E – Examine the habits that help or hurt our soul.
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2, NIV).
John knew complete wellness included not only the body, but also the soul. What habits promote our soul’s health? Or, what habits damage our soul’s wellness?
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2 NIV @FridayKaren #summer Click To TweetR – Rest our soul in the Lord.
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him” (Psalm 62:1, NIV).
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures…leads me beside still waters…restores my soul” (Psalm 23:1-3a, ESV).
Let the slower rhythm of life in summer teach us to rest our souls in the God of our salvation. He alone saves our soul and He alone restores our soul.
{Featured photo is my granddaughter, Laney.}
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It’s funny how both busy and slow times can distract us from what’s most important. Thanks for these tips for keeping the best priorities first.
Great insight, Barbara. I pray we let the slower rhythm of summer draw us closer to the One who holds time and seasons in His hand.
Summer can go either way with me–frenzied activity or long unstructured days. May we receive what’s given and find our anchored in his presence in our days.
Yes, Michele, agree! Either way, may we practice soul care!
What a cute cover photo!! Thanks fir this acrostic! I especially appreciate the reminder to make seeking and loving God a priority. It’s so easy to let other things that feel urgent take first place!
Thank you, Bethany. It is easy to lose sight of our priority in the Lord. But I’ve found when I seek Him wholeheartedly, it brings rest to my soul and growth to my spiritual journey.
I love the acrostic! Summer tends to be a more relaxed time which makes it a good time to “examine the habits that help or hurt our soul.” Then we are better able to move into the next season of productivity when it arrives.
Agree, Joanne. I like how you note “we are better able to move into the next season of productivity when it arrives.” Yes! But the rest and restoration of our soul happens first!
This thought and all these scriptures are so encouraging.
Glad this encouraged you, Lauren. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures…leads me beside still waters…restores my soul” (Psalm 23:1-3a, ESV).
Wonderful acrostic, Karen. Summer doesn’t usually bring that much change for me. But I love the change of seasons and the gifts they bring.
Debbie, thanks! When we take our eyes off others and ourselves, and look up to the Lord; and when we magnify the Lord instead of life’s cares and burdens, our soul thrives instead of just survives.
Your granddaughter is beautiful! I’m sure you have such fun with her. This: “As we seek God and not the world, and love Him above all else, it radically transforms us and our soul.” Yes.
Lisa, thanks so much. We do have fun with her and her five year old brother. A radically transformed me and soul is what my heart longs for.