How to Live Well

I don’t believe in coincidences. Last week, I learned of John Eldredge’s newest book, Get Your Life Back:  Every Day Practices for a World Gone Mad. Being introduced to his book is not by chance. It’s divine direction. I’ve needed his messages right here, right now. For years I’ve pursued how to live well. This has been an intentional journey. Living well includes more than we realize. Today, I invite you to join me for one of my soul-care walks.

In one chapter, Eldredge defines the difference between relief and restoration. He says that relief is meant for the present moment, while restoration is meant to reestablish us, giving us back our life. 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t just want relief from my troubles, challenges, and stresses. I want restoration too.

“Bitch!”

One of the 7.8 billion people in the world called me “Bitch” last week.

After a few minutes of talking with Jesus, I was able to forgive this person, but I was still wounded. 

Forgiveness is not the same as healing. Forgiveness is the act of letting go of resentment toward another person. It’s a choice we make.

Forgiveness’ purpose is to grant relief (most often to ourselves).

Healing’s purpose is restoration; to restore to health.

Forgiveness is not always easy, but it’s possible with Jesus. I know because I’ve had to forgive a lot of hard things in my life including forgiving the person who murdered my sister Becky.

Now forgiving someone for calling me “Bitch” doesn’t even come close to being in the same arena as forgiving murder. But both of these events caused wounds in my soul. One wound resulted in a big chunk taken out of me. The other wound was more like a paper cut. It stung and bled a little, yet it left a laceration.

Why would one word from one of the 7.8 billion people in the world lacerate me?

Because the Bible tells us that our words are so powerful that they will kill or give life (Proverbs 18:21).

Like I needed healing from the gaping wound of my sister’s murder, I also needed healing from the belittling word that tried to poison my soul. I’ve learned over the years that even paper cuts, left unattended, can get infected so it’s best to take care of them immediately.

Embrace Soul Care

For the last week, I’ve chosen to refrain from the constant onslaught of the negativity swirling around in techno world.

I needed restoration; healing, not agitation and a frenzy of more belittling words being hurled at people on social media, especially because I was on my own healing journey.

Most of us know there’s plenty of people ready to squeeze lemon juice onto our already hurting wounds. It’s wise to refrain from those who want to douse us with acid. I didn’t need more lemon on my wound. That would not have been what the doctor ordered.

Instead, I embraced soul care. I needed to help my wound heal. I needed healing salve for my soul. So, I took extra measures to take care of myself. One of those measures included walking outside a lot. 

In fact, according to my Fitbit, I logged close to 20 miles in five days. As soon as I’d step outside and start walking, I’d start feeling better.

The fresh air and hot summer sun seemed to soothe my hurting heart.

Unbeknownst to me when I purchased Eldredge’s audio book, I would be challenged to get outside, breathe in oxygen, live in the real world, put down technology, relax, and seek the much-needed soul restoration. 

This is not a coincidence, friends. As I began listening to his book, I was already outside breathing in life, doing much of what Eldredge recommends.

Alive and Well

There’s cute little box of quotes on my desk. Early last week, I pulled the following one out of the box: 

“Life is not merely to be alive, but to be well.” ~ Marcus Valerius Martial

I didn’t know who Martial was. I discovered he was a Roman poet who lived centuries ago. Even though he wrote the above statement long before we were born, it still rings true.

Last Thursday, about a mile into my nature walk, I noticed a tree. I’ve seen this tree many times. However, on that day God helped me “see” the tree.

I stopped listening to Eldredge’s book, took my earbuds out of my ears, and stood before this magnificent tree. It seemed to be beckoning me to come nearer. Of course, that would mean I’d have to risk blood-sucking ticks. You know they live outside, right?

With the gentle wind blowing through its leaves, I could hear it inviting me to come sit with him. I finally accepted.

I walked through the tall grass then scooted myself up onto its lowest branch. This tree has been around a long time. His branches are thick, built-in chairs for passersby who need some relief and restoration.  

As I sat in Mr. Chair Tree, I listened. I took notice of my senses. There were birds chirping, butterflies playing tag, leaves quietly whispering above me. I looked up. They flickered to let the sun shimmer between them. Bugs buzzing. Green grass and wildflowers cascaded the landscape.

Old Mr. Chair Tree, alive and well, sat with me while I enjoyed God’s creation.

I thanked both God and Mr. Chair Tree for inviting me to rest in the shade for a while and for refreshing my soul. As I hopped off the thick branch, I checked for ticks. I guess God rewarded my bravery because I didn’t find any blood suckers. Then I snapped a photo for remembrance before heading down the path.

Mr. Chair Tree is healthy. God used him to help put a little more salve on my soul. After hanging out with him, everything in me seemed more aware of life.

Alive, But NOT Well

As I walked, I noticed another tree. From a distance it looked lush and green standing taller than the rest. But as I approached the tree, I realized it wasn’t what it appeared. It was alive, but not well.

The lush green I saw from further away were bushes around the trunk. There were many dead branches. The branches that were alive, while having some leaves, didn’t have many.

I felt sad for the tree. It looked like it let life take him down rather than strengthen him. 

I got to thinking about what the Bible says about branches remaining connected to the vine and needing to be pruned to be healthy and fruitful (John 15). I thought about the tree planted by water and how its leaves are always green. How the tree sends its roots out toward the water to be nourished (Jeremiah 17:8). I thought about how in Christ we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). 

And I thought about how Mr. Chair Tree who obviously has lived through some intense moments too, grew big and strong, abundantly fruitful and full of vibrancy.

Then I looked at the half-dead tree. It hadn’t handle what was thrown at it well. Sure, it was alive, but it was not well. I thought about how the Devil comes to steal and kill and destroy us (literally by murder and through words like “Bitch”) (John 10:10).

Live Well

I know Jesus came that we may have abundant life (John 10:10). He desires that we live well, not merely alive. By well, I don’t mean financially or materially.

I believe Jesus wants us to live healthy lives. He wants us to intentionally choose health in every area.

One of the main areas He wants us to be healthy is in our souls. He wants us to take care of our souls. He wants us to care for both the deeply cut wounds and the paper cuts of life. 

In order to do that, we need to spend time with just Him so that we can hear what He has to say to our souls. He will stamp out what our enemy spews at us. Jesus will validate who we truly are.

We need to intentionally seek restoration. Long before I listened Eldredge’s book, I practiced soul care. 

After experiencing both the harshness of words and restoration of Jesus and then noticing the stark differences between these two trees that are on the same path, it’s became obviously clear to me the importance of soul care.

How do we live well? We seek Jesus daily and often for our soul care, lest we end up merely being alive and not well.

We can’t live well if we are not taking care of our souls.

Today’s questions:  Do you just merely want to be alive or do you want to be well?  Do you just want relief from your struggles, hurts, and hardships or do you want restoration, healing?

Hardships and trials do not have to kill us. They can, like Mr. Chair Tree, bend our branches and make them strong enough to support others who need some soul care along their life journey.