My Soul Is Prospering
Overcoming Feeling Powerless
By Steve Backlund
This is an excerpt from my book Victorious Mindsets.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2).
Soul prosperity is ultimately more important than receiving a blessing or having a prayer answered. If our soul is moving toward wholeness, we will walk in increasing inner victory even if we are facing much uncertainty and many unresolved issues. This soul health will be the main catalyst in bringing long-term positive change to these issues, our lives, and our descendants.
Our response to things is almost always more important than the thing happening. Negative reactions like fear, jealousy, anger, or manipulation may produce short-term results, but they will lead to inner poverty and ultimately to circumstantial bondage. Those who think “long-term” realize that their future quality of life is largely dependent on an increasing prosperity of their soul in the Lord (e.g. Psalms 42:5).
I remember late one evening years ago when my wife and teenage daughter convinced me to get a motel room in the middle of Nevada because snow had closed the road ahead. I was resistant to the idea and wanted to take a three-hour alternate route because I did not want to spend the money on a motel. (Yes, it was dumb!) I was overruled and my soul was not prospering! As I lay in bed with my back to my wife, I sensed God ask, “Steve, what’s wrong?” So I told Him. He said, “Steve, I can give you the money back, but your poverty spirit will create lack in your future (so My replacing the money won’t help much in the long run). Let go of your small thinking and your poor concept of Me.”
My life was changed that night. I determined to pursue the soul prosperity of 3 John 2. I started to believe what John wrote—that my future quality of life would increase in direct proportion to the level of my soul prosperity.
Soul prosperity is evidenced by inner faith, hope and love, and it can be summed up by Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Let’s go for it!
My Soul Is Prospering
Overcoming Lies, Making Declarations, Practical Wisdom
LIES TO OVERCOME
How I react to negative situations has little effect on my future
I do not have the ability to radically prosper in my soul
It is not possible for me to consistently experience healthy emotions
My soul cannot prosper in the midst of uncertainty and unresolved issues
I am a pessimistic and negative person
DECLARATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THIS MINDSET
I value soul prosperity more than I value outward success
My soul is growing in prosperity every day
I am successful on the inside even when I don’t look successful on the outside
God is filling me with all joy, peace, and abounding hope through the power of the Holy Spirit
My response to something is almost always more important than the something
PRACTICAL WISDOM
Take care of your body and spirit, too – Soul prosperity is easier if we take care of our body and our spiritual life. We are three-part beings (spirit, soul, and body). Soul prosperity is easier if we keep growing in exercise, nutrition, and rest. Also, as we pursue a strong spiritual life, we will be energized by the Holy Spirit toward emotional health (soul prosperity).
Actively plan to increase thanksgiving and encouragement of others – Healthy people position their eyes to look upward and outward. Being thankful to God and people is a powerful sign of soul prosperity, but it doesn’t just point to it—gratitude actually increases it in our lives. When we add a lifestyle of encouragement to gratitude, we will accelerate greater soul prosperity.
Activate biblical meditation – Psalm 1 and Joshua 1:8 have incredible promises for those who meditate: continual fruitfulness, prosperity, success, and power to obey. Biblical meditation is focused thinking and muttering about God’s word and promises (what He has said and is saying), God’s nature (His character), and God’s works (the testimonies of what He has done).