“When we reach out to God, we are lifting our souls up to be nurtured and healed.”

A thought by John Ortberg (2014-04-22) from his book, Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You (p. 104). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

This season of the year has so much potential to bring pain. We didn’t get invited to that party. We didn’t get that gift that they know we really wanted. We don’t have enough money to get home for Christmas. So many things that can bring us pain but it all comes down to what we are reaching out to for our happiness.

John says, “A soul centered in God always knows it has a heavenly Father who will hold its pain, its fear, its anxiety. This is spiritual life: to place the soul each moment in the presence and care of God. ‘My soul cleaves to you, your right hand upholds me.’ It is much harder than it sounds to keep our souls centered on God. We hold on tightly, but often to the wrong things. But staying centered on God — his word, his ways — is the essence of life for the soul.”

He then says, “A very simple way to guard your soul is to ask yourself, ‘Will this situation block my soul’s connection to God?’ As I begin living this question I find how little power the world has over my soul. What if I don’t get a promotion, or my boss doesn’t like me, or I have financial problems, or I have a bad hair day? Yes, these may cause disappointment, but do they have any power over my soul? Can they nudge my soul from its center, which is the very heart of God? When you think about it that way, you realize that external circumstances cannot keep you from being with God. If anything, they draw you closer to him.”

Yes there is a lot of real pain in this season of the year but let that pain draw you to Him. He is the One who will truly nurture and heal you. Remember that.

So where are you going to turn to for your happiness and joy?

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