When
oxen are yoked together, they help each other pull the load. Jesus offers the
opportunity for us to yoke up with Him, in order to make our burdens easy and
light to carry. He is gentle and humble in heart, and we find rest in Him.
Our
thoughts, emotions and choices remain on the straight and narrow road when we
are yoked with Him (Matthew 11:28-30). He guides us continually, strengthens
our bones when we are weary, and satisfies our soul with living water (Isaiah
58:11).
The
Hebrew words for soul in God's Word refer to Life (Genesis 1:30), to our person
(Deuteronomy 10:22), and to our feelings, desires and affections, which
influence our thoughts, choices and actions.
Scientists
assert that mental and emotional problems are at the root of many of our
physical problems. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects not only soldiers on
the battlefield, but anyone experiencing traumatic and abusive events in their life.
This
trauma affects the connectors in our brain, as well as the very cells of our
body. It also causes damage that goes deep into our soul. Job experienced this
trauma throughout the trials with which Satan plagued him.
He
felt like he teetered on the edge of a deep, dark abyss. He prayed for his soul
to be brought back from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of
life (Job 33:30). He trusted God, because His redemptive powers preserve us.
The
Lord wants to heal us in every facet of our spirit, body and soul; so that our
fellowship with Him will remain unhindered by the corruption of our flesh, the
world and Satanic lies (Hosea 14:4).
Prayer:
Father
God, as we submit to You, the God of peace, You entirely sanctify and preserve
our spirit, soul and body with Your peace (1 Thessalonians 5:13). Remind us
that daily feasting on Your Word and walking in Your Spirit restores our soul's
stability and strengthens us (Psalm 23:3).
The
inner healing we receive from an intimate relationship with You also eliminates
our need to rely on addictive behaviors to anesthetize our soul's pain. We can
trust in You, as our Great Physician, to resolve our soul's issues and to allow
our body, soul and spirit to prosper (3 John 1:2).
Thought
for the Day:
The
Lord yearns for the restoration of our soul, in order to return it to the place
of harmonious communion with Him, which was lost when Adam and Eve sinned.
-
Jeremiah 32:37
