8 Ways To Maintain a Healthy Soul

What is your soul? Your soul is made up of your mind, will and emotions. Are you doing the things that keep your soul healthy? These 8 Ways To Maintain a Healthy Soul will guide you toward activities that support the health of your soul.

1. Cultivate Strong, Positive Friendships

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” –Proverbs 27:17

You may already have strong, positive friendships, but it’s good to be open to more. Friends are made by starting with a smile. If you need help finding friends who will encourage you and speak positively to you, start by visiting a small group at your local church. You may want to start a prayer group and invite people of all ages. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you to the right people. Remember, to have a friend, you must be friendly (Proverbs 18:24, NKJV)!

2. Pray and Meditate

“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.” –Psalm 145:5

Meditation means spending time thinking about and talking to the Lord about His Word. Take a few moments each day to read a verse of Scripture. Then ask the Lord, the author of the Bible, to explain what He said and how it applies to you. Your time with Him will culminate in praise and thanksgiving to God for being your personal Lord and Savior.

3. Practice Thankfulness

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:6-7

Make it a practice to daily thank God for everything good. This will raise your awareness of all He does for you each day. Thank Him for your family, your health, your strength, your safety and each thing you may have forgotten to plan for, yet He took care of. Make a list of the “little” provisions from the Lord, and let thanksgiving stay on your lips. 

4. Avoid Gossip and Negativity

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” –Ephesians 4:29

It can be a challenge to “let everything you say be good and helpful.” The temptation to criticize and point out what is wrong is all around, but you can choose to speak what is good. If others want you to join their negative conversation, turn the talk to something good. If that doesn’t work, just walk away. Soon, they will realize your upbeat focus and perhaps join you!

5. Enjoy Positive Entertainment

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” –Philippians 4:8

Let the movies, music, books and TV shows you watch lift you up, not tear you down. Instead of watching horror movies that portray and exalt evil, or entertainment that demonstrates the depravity of human nature, turn to VICTORY Channel and let those godly speakers build up your faith.

6. Learn a New Hobby

“May the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!” –Psalm 90:17

Finding new hobbies and learning new skills can be fun. Learning to play an instrument, paint a landscape, or cook the perfect dish can expand your creativity and possibly hone your existing talents in certain areas. Fire up those power tools, build that bird house, and admire your new handiwork. Your introduction to new ideas will stimulate your mind and provide health to your soul. 

7. Get Outdoors

“Praise him, O heaven and earth, the seas and all that move in them.” –Psalm 69:34

Nature is full of beautiful surprises like relaxing sunsets and glorious sunrises, fragrant flowers and all kinds of things you may not have taken the time to enjoy. So, take a walk or a hike in a park. Go fishing on a lake. Have a snowball fight with your kids or build a snowman. Go camping. Garden. Your soul—your mind, will and emotions—will welcome the new experiences. 

8. Practice Love

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” –John 13:34-35

Practice showing love to others. A smile, a warm handshake, or an encouraging word can go a long way toward reassuring someone they are valuable. Your words contain power, and they can have a lasting influence on others.

Allow the Holy Spirit to point out something good about each person you meet; then tell them! Ladies especially enjoy hearing a sincere compliment. Men like to know they are respected and appreciated for what they do. Even a simple, “I see Jesus in you” can brighten someone’s day. 

As you give love, your heavenly Father gives it back to you (Luke 6:38). So, don’t be surprised if people begin showing love and appreciation to you!

Pick out some of these 8 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Soul to implement in your life today. In order to prosper physically, financially and in every other area in life, your soul must prosper first (3 John 2, NKJV). Your soul—made up of your mind, will and emotions—matters to the Lord!

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