How to Satisfy the Soul
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:8
What do people of the world do to gain peace, security, and inner rest? How many people in this world do you thank worry about the future of the country, of the world, of their life? What does it take to have continuous peace, security, and virtually no worry or fear?
Paul in earlier life as a Pharisee had the comfortable easy life, but when he became a Christian his life was filled with hardships. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (Acts 11:23-29)
What is Paul’s response to living this life of hardship? I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13) How can Paul be content in all situations? Is Paul content in his flesh or is he content in his soul? What’s the difference?
If we are to be content, our soul must be content, and how do we gain contentment in our soul? Do we chase things in the world that gives temporary contentment, then we search for something else to give us contentment, and we keep searching because everything in the world has tolerance. We are basically changing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, which doesn’t exist. The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.(John 6:63). We can spend our entire life trying to satisfy our soul through our flesh, and our soul remains empty. The flesh can only be satisfied when our soul is satisfied.
The Spirit that dwells in the believer feeds our soul continuously with what we have always been searching for; love, peace, joy, contentment, security, satisfaction, – the character of Jesus. The question is how do we get this infinite love, peace, and joy from the Spirit into our soul? This is a process that continuously increases the character of Jesus in our soul until our last breath. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8) When our thoughts are directed toward the Spirit, then our soul is moved into the Spirit. Our soul is directed by our thoughts; worldly thoughts direct our soul toward the world while Godly thoughts direct our soul toward the Spirit. Ideally we live in the Spirit and we interface to the world through the Spirit. This permits our soul to remain in the Spirit making us more Christ-like.
Today seek to keep your thoughts on things above, keeping your soul in the Spirit. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2). The Lord desires that we walk with the heart and mind of Jesus as God is continually molding us conform to his Son. Take time and imagine how great it is when our mind and heart move toward being Christ-like.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be connected to you today by communing with you and keeping my thoughts on you. Help me to spend the day praising and thanking you, because it fills me with confidence and contentment. Thank you Lord for your perfect love. In Jesus name, Amen