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Answer
The sole biblical passage containing this phrase is Psalm 23:3: “He restores my soul.” It is within the context of the Shepherd guiding His sheep to “green pastures,” “quiet waters,” and “paths of righteousness.” As Christians, we are the sheep of God’s pasture «Know ye that the LORD he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.», (Psalm 100:3), and only He can renew our souls. To renew means “to repair, renovate, or return to a former condition.” The soul represents the deepest part of us, our spirit, and innermost being. Since God is our creator, only He can renew us because only He understands what we truly need to revive our souls.
God has provided us with guidance on renewing our souls in the Bible—the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), which contains the answers and wisdom to address all challenges we may encounter. It can make us wise for salvation «and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.», (2 Timothy 3:15), provide comfort when we are discouraged «Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;», (2 Corinthians 1:3), and serve as our manual for a life filled with peace and contentment <a href="https://www.bibliatodo.com/en/se
(Psalm 119:97-105). While various books written by people offer worldly wisdom, only God’s Word can truly restore the soul and provide hope in times of distress.
Restoring the soul is possible only for those whose souls have been redeemed through faith in Christ. Jesus promised rest to all who come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30), so it is crucial to be certain of our salvation and relationship with God. Only those who are genuinely born again in Christ can experience the peace and joy promised in His Word.
Fortunately, God has provided for us when we encounter discouragement, trials, and temptations. He has given us three main sources of encouragement and strength. Firstly, He has provided His Word to guide, encourage, and spiritually nourish us. We must spend time reading it, as faith comes from hearing the Word of God “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”, (Romans 10:17), and, above all, obeying it (Psalm 119:2; Proverbs 3:1-2; James 1:25). Secondly, God has granted us the privilege and power of prayer (Matthew 7:7-11; Mark 11:24-25; John 15:7; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:14). We should bring our problems, discouragement, and weariness to God in prayer, knowing that He loves us and cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7). Thirdly, He has given us fellow Christians to encourage and support us (Ecclesiastes 4:9-19; Ephesians 4:29; Hebrews 3:13).
Ephesians 4:29; Hebrews 3:13). It is crucial to be part of a healthy, well-balanced church and to regularly worship and fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:23-25). Christians who have faced similar struggles can offer great encouragement and help as we navigate through dark times (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Discouragement during times of trouble and tribulation is common. Throughout the Bible, we find examples of righteous men and women who encountered similar situations. These examples can inspire us today because the same God who remained faithful to them will also be faithful to us. It is beneficial to start by reading the Psalms since King David composed many of them during the dark periods of his life. They can encourage us when we feel down, weary, and disheartened. Having experienced the joy of a soul restored by God, David could write the beautiful words of the 23rd Psalm: “He restores my soul.”
