How might your experiences in the cycle of spiritual growth help you provide more effective SoulCare?

[Austin]

The cycle draws me out of myself, and draw near to God, and hence in drawing nearer to God who is able, SoulCare is effective not in eliminating the problems, but turning the person to see a larger story than ourselves, a larger Person who is able to provide, a greater purpose to live for – a better hope.

[Austin]

The Cycle will help me gage my place to allow the spirit to keep me focused on what it is doing rather than where I am and not pull that place into the process, I will be able to see where I am and progress to the place where I need to be to venture into the soul of both the person involved and myself. It is a useful lens to check the state of my soul, for it is a cycle that repeats itself on all of our Spiritual journey’s

[Austin]

As you’ve journeyed through the cycle, and hopefully gained wisdom and insight, it can help you see where the other person is. That will help you to pray and seek the Spirit more effectively. As you listen to the Spirit and His wisdom, you will be able to lean in with the person more effectively.

[Austin]

I realize that I can do nothing without God, in my brokenness, I am in need of repentance. In my daily walk with God, on this path of my spiritual journey I learn to rely on God more, and to put my trust in God, and not in others, and then I do not have to worry about impressing others, or pleasing them. The five phases of the Cycle of Spiritual Growth, is brokenness, repentance, abandonment, confidence and release. Also Dr. Larry Crabb talks about and shares the three mistakes to avoid in Soul Care: Retreat, Advise, Empathize. We all are fallen image-bearers of God, we need to depend more and more on God and not on ourselves.

[Austin]

It helps me to realize how broken I am, my need for repentance and that I only grow as I abandon the idea that I can do anything without God. Having my confidence in Him and not myself will equip me to journey with people and release myself from trying to please them or me.