Often when we hear 3 John 1:2 recited ‘Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers (Young’s Literal Translation), we think of the prosperity of physical health which is alluded to by the writer but also it is paramount in this verse that we understand the soul’s need for prosperity. I believe it is true that if the soul is in good health it will also effect the physical health of an individual. The scripture tells us “as a man thinketh so is he.” Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We can learn much by listening.
I remember hearing an interview once where a ninety-three-year-old gentleman was asked, what does he contribute to a long satisfying life? To my surprise, the aged gentleman responded, “I love shrimp and I eat them every day.” What… what? Everyday? Now in no wise am I saying that shrimp lovers should indulge or over- indulge in appeasing their physical appetite. But what I am saying is that he seemingly had joy in doing the things that he loves doing. Instead of focusing on the fear of high cholesterol levels, he obviously focused on living instead of dying. He fed both his physical body and soulish realm with things that he loved doing.
In the prospering of the soul, there are times we must do a soul cleansing. We must “loose” some things from our soul. Our soul (inner self) may have intrinsic barriers that are hindrances to our moving forward or acceleration. We all experience pain and dissapointment at some point. It is a part of life. We don’t abandon living because some things can seem overwhelming. But we can make a conscientious decision for an exchange. I am sure you would rather be overwhelmed with the presence of a love that is so pure. A perfect love that cast fear from your very life. Yes, I am talking about the love of our Creator, our Heavenly Father. It is a choice on each of our part to accept an exchange. Isaiah 61:3 declares, “to provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” “Then people will call them “Oaks of Righteousness”, “The Planting of the LORD”, in order to display his splendor.”
Beloved, we can lay aside every weight that will so easily beset us. If you find it too difficult. Seek out a mature individual that understands the Father’s will to prosper you. I am not speaking of a religious person as I am speaking of a lover of God, one that has relationship with a covenant keeping God. It is not difficult and don’t let a religious mindset tell you that it is. It is our Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32) He has given us all things that pertains to life and godliness. Fear, anxiety and regrets causes one to lose focus on the help that He alone can give us. He uses others in our lives to promote growth but ultimately our help comes from Him. The awesomeness of all of this is that in His sovereignty he can do what He wants but he gives us options to choose. For our souls to prosper, there are times we have to do spiritual soul cleansing. Through the aid of Holy Spirit, we “loose” our soul from unforgiveness, grief, religious pride, and other things that would hinder our freedom. We were not created to be in bondage. If you are a sinner and you are reading this, ask God to forgive you for your sins. And ask Holy Spirit to bring you into the awareness of God’s love for you. ‘There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) As free will agents we can choose freedom. As long as we are on this journey of life, we will always have to resist things that will hinder the prosperity of our soul and choose life in any given situation.
Christ paid a costly price for our peace, our grief and our heaviness. The prophet Isaiah tell us, “But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.” Isaiah 53:5 HCSB. All we do is ask Him to give us an exchange. He can love you more in a moment than other lovers could in a life time.
Beloved I pray that 2018 will be a prosperous year for you. Soul prosperity looks good on you.