Source Of Trouble
There are many sources of afflictions that war against our soul. Because our parents, sisters, brothers, or our extended families were not perfect, we were all abused to some extent emotionally, physically, or even sexually as we were growing up.

Many other hurts have come through rejections, or feelings of rejection. Some have felt unloved, or have experienced betrayal by family or friends. David wrote, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all" (Ps. 34:19).

James said, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms" (James 5:13).

Harsh Parental Attitudes
Harsh parental attitudes can cause damage to the soul and produce trouble for the child both when it happened and in the future.

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
(Eph. 6:4)

Immorality
Immorality damages the soul and brings trouble not only to the involved parties but to those around them.

Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonor he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away. For jealousy is a husband's fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
(Prov. 6:32-34)

Sinful Desires
Sinful desires, such as lust, love of riches or position, are enemies of the soul. Peter said, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11).

Sinful Acts
Sinful acts make the soul sick.

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:19-21)

He Restores My Soul
We have been teaching about healing in the physical areas, but is there healing for our souls?

King David's Prayer
David prayed for healing of his soul: "LORD, be merciful to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You" (Ps. 41:4).

Notice, David's soul was damaged by his own sin.

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O LORD-how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul....
(Ps. 6:1-4)

Psalm 23 is a beautiful picture of the peace God wants us to have in every situation. We can rejoice with David in the restoration of our souls: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul" (vv. 1-3).

Satisfied Soul
There is a special promise for the satisfaction of the soul.

If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
(Isa. 58:10-11)

Isaiah wrote that if we would unselfishly give ourselves to helping others, our own darkness would become light. The Lord would guide us, strengthen us, and satisfy the needs of our soul.

Jesus Heals The Brokenhearted
Jesus healed the brokenhearted. He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18).

Source: God's Provision For Healing by Dr. A.L. and Joyce Gill.
Excerpt permission granted by Powerhouse Publishing