Exposure to the violence, hurt, tragedy, and human suffering we face on a daily basis is cumulative trauma and can become debilitating. The Bible says, “…for whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (2 Peter 2:19 ESV).

First, your soul is real and inside of you. It is the eternal you. It can also leave your body when you die. “And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin” (Genesis 35:18 ESV). We also know that your soul can be in distress. “Then they said to one another, In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us” (Genesis 42:21 ESV).

Finally, we know your soul can be sorrowful. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was greatly distressed and troubled (Mark 14:33 ESV). He said, “…My soul is very sorrowful, even to death…” (Mark 14:34 ESV). Exposure to the many hurts of life causes distress to your soul. David is an example of someone who experienced the chaotic and traumatic events of his time causing injury to his soul. David tells us in Psalm 23:3 (ESV), “He restores my soul…” David experienced complete restoration only possible from God. He declared the Lord to be his Shepard, and his restoration so complete he wanted for nothing. Jesus heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3 ESV).