Proverbs 11: The Secret to A Refreshed Soul

4

August 10, 2023 by Chris Francis

Category: Proverbs Study

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

 A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. - Proverbs 11:24-25

There is a lot of talk these days about self-care, about making sure we get our ME-time, about putting on our own oxygen mask before we try to help others.

I don’t disagree with that, as I certainly like to get my alone time and my quiet time and my vacation time and my rest time.
But I’ve noticed that none of those things necessarily lead to a refreshing of my soul. 
In this proverb, we are given a promise abouto how we can have our souls refreshed. It’s simple, but it’s not easy. It’s nothing that we haven't heard before, but it’s something we constantly overlook. 
It is to seek the refreshing of others to such a degree that it calls us to be generous with our time, money, energy, and focus. 
Are you weary? Are you tired? Are you discouraged? Does your soul need refreshing in any way?
Look around you. Who in your life needs refreshing?
How can you make it a priority over the next couple days to refresh them?
But Chris, by refreshing them, I will be more drained!
I know, that’s what it seems like.
But what if we took God at his word and truly found joy in refreshing someone else? 
Maybe it’s a phone call to someone who is lonely when we are tired of phone calls.
Maybe it’s going out to a social gathering with someone when we want to be alone.
Maybe it's helping pay a bill when we really want to spend that money on our own desires. 
Seriously, who can you bless?
If you’re willing to, maybe even put it in the comment section. 

4 Comments

Debbie Robertson Aug 11, 2023 @ 2:36 pm

Love this promise by God that if our soul needs to be revived we just need to turn our focus to helping another and we WILL be refreshed. Jesus told us that it is MORE blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) and, He doesn't lie! Spurgeon said "If I want to get water I must give water. Though that seems a strange way of self-serving I pray you try it." ❤️

Tom Sargent Aug 11, 2023 @ 12:44 pm

Good perspective Chris. It's hard to think this way for me particularly when I'm feeling the weight of being busy and feeling stretched thin.

Frank Martinez Aug 11, 2023 @ 10:16 am

When I do GOD'S good works I'm aways refreshed, and I need HIS WORD to help me remember these Truths. Because I can become extremely selfish and that is draining.

Lenie Dunton Aug 11, 2023 @ 8:32 am

I absolutely know that there are times when doing something for a neighbor seems like I wish I didn't say I would do it, but after doing it I am always happy that I did. I think my Lord speaks to me at those times when I should take time to make thst phone call. I always feel so much better after. It truly does refresh my soul.

Leave a Comment

Comments for this post have been disabled.

More in Blog

March 29, 2024

God Was Active on Silent Saturday

March 28, 2024

The Lesson of the Worm: The Surprising Meaning of “Tola”

March 26, 2024

Serving From Confidence

More by Chris Francis

March 20, 2024

Come to Him, Weary One

March 12, 2024

When Someone Is Offended By You

March 6, 2024

And They Praised God Because of Me

February 12, 2024

7 Reasons To Fast With Us During Lent

January 25, 2024

What Does It Mean To "Be Filled With The Spirit?"