Briefly review what role each of the following topics plays in SoulCare: passion, wisdom, journeying reality, vision, reframing, and categories of understanding.

[Austin]

Passion is our motivating force. Are we passionate about doing well, being well thought of, impressing the person we are providing soul care for, or passionate about seeing God reveal things to us that will help the person, and move in this person through his Holy Spirit and refusing to give in to feelings of our own inadequacies.

Wisdom is what God is shaping in us and for the other person as we listen and interact with them. The Holy Spirit prompts and guides us for the other person’s good.

Journeying reality is the walk we take spiritually with the person we are providing SoulCare for. We go at their pace as the Holy Spirit prompts us. The journey is as long as it takes, whatever that may mean in this person’s case. We give ourselves to the person, not our advice or just empathy.

Vision (I love this) is when as we listen, God unfolds a vision for a person’s relationship with him to us. This directs where we take the SoulCare.

Reframing means to take the story of a soul including the mess and the relationships of the person and by asking questions reframe the person’s perspective to align it with what the Holy Spirit wishes to be and do for this person.

[Austin]

Passion deals primarily with what’s happening in me as I provide SoulCare. Wisdom is moving into a person’s life by the leading of the Holy Spirit in a way that stirs their appetite for God. Journey reality is thinking about what the person is experiencing right now that you are talking to. How can I be present for them in a safe way so they will be willing to open up and discuss what’s really going on. Vision is thinking about what the Holy Spirit is doing in this person’s life right now. Where direction is the Holy Spirit moving in this persons’ life right now? Reframing is moving from a specific topic into the larger topic of the story of their soul, the story of their relationships.

[Austin]

SourCare is possible when I am aware of my passions (my motives) and relying on wisdom (resting in and releasing the Holy Spirit to work through me). If the other person perceives me as inviting and safe, they will feel free to share their journeying reality (their red dot, what is happening in their soul now). With wisdom, you consider their journeying reality and have a vision of what the Spirit is up to in that person and of what that person could be like if they wanted God more than anything else. Reframing is exploring the larger, deeper story of their soul. It happens when you are curious to find out how they are relating to their spouses, children, parents, God and me as we talk. It includes their past and present relationships as a context to where they are now. Categories of Understanding include the nature of image-bearers, sin, God’s solution, how the Spirit works today to stir up their thirst for God, how life and suffering and blessings work, and the purpose of community.

[Austin]

Passion is sensing what is alive in me and what I yearn for in myself and in another. Wisdom is what is happening in the other person that I need to understand well enough to move in certain directions as we chat. Journeying realities are the “red dot” of where the person is in this moment. Vision is seeing where God is taking them as they yearn for him above all else. Reframing moves the other to think about the relational impact of their ideas. Categories of understanding are the details , the specifics of what is true about someone’s soul.

[Austin]

Passion – to look at the SoulCarer’s motivation, a self examination of your own interior in order to provide effective soul care
Wisdom – a recognition of the fact that the SoulCarer is inadequate and must rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction in this process
Journey reality – a focus on where the person is instead of where they want to be
Vision – the possibilities , necessary goals
Reframing – taking the focus off of the presenting problem and focusing on the story of the soul
Categories of understanding – information provided in the telling of the story of the soul that informs the SoulCarer’s focus in this process