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Having reviewed the basic model of SoulCare, what concepts do you find the most helpful? Why?
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I find it liberating to realize that change is not up to me, but it’s the Spirit’s work. I want to fix and impress people with my knowledge, which is not pretty. I also find it a challenge to look inwards before offering any advice to another, to see my own ugly flesh dynamics and lean in to the Spirit’s provisions. I love the concepts taught. I struggle to live them…
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Ultimately, I find that the fact that we wait for The Spirit to move, instead of having to create an outcome, is so freeing. I also am still trying to figure out this whole idea of paying attention to what’s going on inside of me. It seems counter-intuitive, like I shouldn’t be thinking of myself when another person is talking to me. But it’s not about thinking about my own similar stories or input I want to give to turn the conversation to me; it’s more like a temperature gauge of where my spiritual walk is, at that moment. It’s revealing and it’s really cool that SoulCare allows the person giving the care to also be convicted and changed in the process, too.
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The first step when providing SoulCare of looking into your own interior world is such a new idea for me. I can see the value in doing this but hadn’t ever entertained it prior to taking these courses. That coupled with pausing to to listen for the Spirit’s leading should make a big difference in a relational conversation.
The information about reframing questions will be beneficial too. I’ve been an okay listener but not that great on asking the right questions. The reframing questions is what moves the person to share their story.
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I find the entire model very helpful. Several parts really strike me as especially instructive for me; things that really challenge me.
First is the idea that it starts at the invitation of the other person. They share with us a journeying reality and invite us to know them. SoulCare begins with an invitation from them. SoulCare is not something that I initiate to try to “help” the other person. I am also struck by Dr. Crabb’s statement that the “effective SoulCare provider never presses for change and never measures their success by whether the person is changing.” This is all under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.
Second is the idea of examining what is going on inside of me. Again, the goal is to have the Holy Spirit rule as we interact with our friend.
Third is the idea of reframing the discussion by putting a frame around the story of their soul and not the immediate problem. This also involves noticing how the person is pulling us to respond. The focus is on the larger story of what God is doing.
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To know that there will always be tension between our flesh dynamic and Spirit dynamic. It is a process of searching deep into our hearts, to face what’s truly blocking God as our utmost desire. As we journey down the path of SoulCare, both parties need to honestly face internal darkness and have the willingness to firmly point the blind spots rather than siding.