Subscriptions

Subscribe via RSS

Soul Care Articles

We have hundreds of articles to help you connect with Jesus Christ, the Soul Shepherd.

Ministry Begins with Rest

With Jesus Beside Still Waters

A Soul Shepherding Moment

By Bill Gaultiere © 2011

We’ve been providing care, counsel, and prayer to pastors and other servants of Christ for a number of years. One of the most important things we do is help them to rest in God.

Every pastor and ministry leader I know — starting with the one that looks back at me in the mirror! — needs more of the rest of soul that Jesus offers us in his embrace (Matthew 11:28-30). Probably this is true for you as well.

How easy it is to be so busy with God’s work and caring for people that you [...]

Continue reading Ministry Begins with Rest

February 21st, 2011 | Tags: , , , | Category: Ministry to Pastors, Soul Care

Be Like the Psalm 1 Man

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

Psalm 1 gives us a vibrant picture of what our life with God can be like. Do you know this Psalm that introduces the church’s life of prayer? It begins, “Blessed is the man who…”

The first thing we need to know when we begin the first of the 150 Psalms is that Jesus is the perfect Psalm 1 Man. He fulfilled the righteous life and the prophecies of this Psalm and all of the Psalms. And he offers for us to be his students in his school of prayer. Jesus is our Teacher, the Psalms are our text, and daily life is [...]

Continue reading Be Like the Psalm 1 Man

November 12th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Soul Care, Spiritual Disciplines

Why Get Angry?

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

“Cease from anger” the Psalmist counsels us (Psalm 37:8). “Get rid of all anger” the New Testament echoes (Ephesians 4:31).

Throughout the Bible we are cautioned about our anger. And many Psalms, particularly the Laments, show us how to deal with anger in a wise and godly way.

But it seems that few Christians today understand their anger or what to do with it.

 

Understanding Angry Emotions

Anger is a God-given emotion.

We feel angry when our will is crossed, when we’re afraid that we won’t get what we want. Anger is like a headache: it signals to us that something is wrong [...]

Continue reading Why Get Angry?

November 4th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Soul Care

Use Your Christ Shield

By Bill Gaultiere © 2010

When someone criticizes you are you defensive? Or do you get angry? Many people I talk to have a hard time responding to criticism because they take it inside and feel bad or they protect themselves by shutting down emotionally, which leaves them isolated and depressed.

I can relate. For much of my life I felt inadequate whenever someone criticized me. So I put pressure on myself to succeed and to try to get people to think well of me. That created a lot of anxiety!

I have learned another way. It’s expressed in a favorite little prayer of mine from [...]

Continue reading Use Your Christ Shield

August 21st, 2010 | Tags: , , , | Category: Soul Care

Becoming “I”

By Bill Gaultiere © 1992

As a young man and a new psychologist I spent years in my own psychotherapy, getting help with anxiety and depression.

Being in therapy was the best training I could’ve received to be a therapist for others — but that’s not why I did it.

I went in therapy because I was overwhelmed with pressures to achieve, be ideal, and make other people happy. I was afraid of failure because my self-esteem was always on the line. I felt guilty if I said no to people and opportunities so I kept trying to do more and more.

I Needed a Christ’s Ambassador

Through my [...]

Continue reading Becoming “I”

June 8th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Soul Care

Trying to Get More Done in Less Time?

Usually its better to slow down!

Usually its better to slow down!

I was talking with a friend who likes to drive in the fast lane.  He thrives on trying to get more done in less time in order to be successful.  He’s very productive… and stressed.

He doesn’t realize that he’s continually recruiting adrenaline to give him the boost of energy and confidence that he feels he needs to handle all of his responsibilities.  His body’s production of adrenaline is like his own drug manufacturing plant!  He has adrenaline dependence.

Other people get their adrenaline hits through extreme sports, risky behavior, or loud music.

Adrenaline is God’s gift to us.  It’s [...]

Continue reading Trying to Get More Done in Less Time?

November 10th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Soul Care