Page 145 - The Prosperous Way _ (APRIL 2024 v3)
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THE PROSPEROUS SOUL
Toward the end of the first century, the Apostle John wrote a letter to
his dear friend Gaius which begins like this:
“To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you
may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3
John 3:1-2)
These opening words have echoed throughout history, reminding us
that true success is multifaceted: To succeed in all things implies not
simply to prosper financially, but also to prosper physically and
emotionally. Much has been learnt, particularly in recent years, about
how to improve one's physical health; not only via medical innovations,
but also through sleep, diet, and exercise. The internet is awash with
podcasts on each of these subjects. However, many people are still
unsure about what it means for your soul to prosper. I am referring here
to one’s mental and emotional well-being.
FRIENDSHIPS AND THE PROSPEROUS SOUL
Throughout our journey so far, I have addressed a few factors that
contribute to the soul’s well-being; such as being content, living a
balanced life, and finding favour with people around us. But now I want
to shift our attention to one specific area that greatly benefits our soul,
which is our connections, particularly our friendships. Not everyone will
marry or have children, but everyone can enjoy the blessing of
friendship. And I've discovered that building solid friendships provide a
wealth of benefits in marriage, parenting, the workplace, church, and
other areas of our lives.
A recent experience brilliantly highlights the importance of friendship in
fostering emotional well-being. A friend who I hadn't seen in a long time
invited me to join her for a cup of tea after work. My friend lives on the
way home from work, about halfway between the train station and my
house. I happily accepted. When I arrived, I was amazed and delighted
by the delicious supper that my friend had prepared. She had set the
table with beautiful linen and china. In addition to a great supper, she
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