A Soul Besieged
Everyone goes through stressful times in the life. There may be too much to do and too little time to do it. There are days when we are asked to stretch and bend our lives beyond what we believe is possible. During such times we simply do our best to survive.
Unfortunately, when the stressful time passes our soul is often very low in energy. We have used up everything we have just to get by and now we find ourselves struggling to get out of bed. In such moments we need to be on the lookout for one of three signs of a stressed soul.
The first is Soul Weariness. When our soul is filled with weariness we find ourselves say, “I don’t care!” We have trouble mustering the energy to deal with the stuff that comes up. We may let a phone call go unreturned. We may throw a frozen dinner in the microwave rather than cook a nourishing meal. “Not caring” is seldom caused by laziness or a lack of concern. In such moments we may feel guilty for taking the short-cut. But we do it anyway. We just don’t have the energy to do anything else. Soul weariness can destroy lives and careers when it is not addressed. When it gets to this level we call it burnout!
A second sign of soul stress is Soul Sadness. It is not simply that we do not care, but a growing feeling that “It doesn’t matter.” No matter what we do, it will not change the outcome. We may even keep on doing what we are supposed to do but we put no energy into it. We “go through the motions.” As hope wanes, our sense of despair may grow. Our ability to be engaged in our life in a meaningful way disappears. We may feel that we would rather lay in bed and pull the covers over our head. Soul Sadness does destroy lives. When it gets into the most extreme range it is called depression. It can then become a leading cause of suicide.
A third and final sign of soul stress is the Soulquake. Like the name suggests, this occurs when frustration or anger, or envy trigger a seismic event in our soul. It is usually a sudden outburst that surprises everyone involved, including ourselves. It could be a lashing out at someone who just happened to be in the way, or a deep burning anger that will not go away. It can also show itself as a panic attack when all we want to do is run and keep on running. Soulquakes occur when the soul feels confounded and confused. It will drain away the last remaining energy the spirit has and then explode. These events destroy relationships and lives. When it reaches its most extreme it can lead to violence against others and ourselves.
These signs of soul stress should not be ignored. Very few who experience them move into burnout, depression or murderous rage. But even in the lesser levels they lead to broken lives, broken hearts, and broken relationships.
A soul besieged by stress will find itself in trouble. Sometimes it forces us into an unintentional time of rest in a hospital or on the unemployment line. But there is a better way. It begins by dealing with it when you first notice the signs.
Unfortunately, when the stressful time passes our soul is often very low in energy. We have used up everything we have just to get by and now we find ourselves struggling to get out of bed. In such moments we need to be on the lookout for one of three signs of a stressed soul.
The first is Soul Weariness. When our soul is filled with weariness we find ourselves say, “I don’t care!” We have trouble mustering the energy to deal with the stuff that comes up. We may let a phone call go unreturned. We may throw a frozen dinner in the microwave rather than cook a nourishing meal. “Not caring” is seldom caused by laziness or a lack of concern. In such moments we may feel guilty for taking the short-cut. But we do it anyway. We just don’t have the energy to do anything else. Soul weariness can destroy lives and careers when it is not addressed. When it gets to this level we call it burnout!
A second sign of soul stress is Soul Sadness. It is not simply that we do not care, but a growing feeling that “It doesn’t matter.” No matter what we do, it will not change the outcome. We may even keep on doing what we are supposed to do but we put no energy into it. We “go through the motions.” As hope wanes, our sense of despair may grow. Our ability to be engaged in our life in a meaningful way disappears. We may feel that we would rather lay in bed and pull the covers over our head. Soul Sadness does destroy lives. When it gets into the most extreme range it is called depression. It can then become a leading cause of suicide.
A third and final sign of soul stress is the Soulquake. Like the name suggests, this occurs when frustration or anger, or envy trigger a seismic event in our soul. It is usually a sudden outburst that surprises everyone involved, including ourselves. It could be a lashing out at someone who just happened to be in the way, or a deep burning anger that will not go away. It can also show itself as a panic attack when all we want to do is run and keep on running. Soulquakes occur when the soul feels confounded and confused. It will drain away the last remaining energy the spirit has and then explode. These events destroy relationships and lives. When it reaches its most extreme it can lead to violence against others and ourselves.
These signs of soul stress should not be ignored. Very few who experience them move into burnout, depression or murderous rage. But even in the lesser levels they lead to broken lives, broken hearts, and broken relationships.
A soul besieged by stress will find itself in trouble. Sometimes it forces us into an unintentional time of rest in a hospital or on the unemployment line. But there is a better way. It begins by dealing with it when you first notice the signs.
Tips – Stillness
The ancient wisdom for addressing soul stress is simply “stillness.” This is a stillness of mind, body, and soul. Such stillness allows the energy to flow back into our spirit rather than being burned up in worry, empty busyness, and anxiety. It breaks the cycle that causes soul stress to spiral down into the more serious experiences of burnout, depression, and violence. There are three simple steps to developing a discipline for stillness.
Step One – Plug the Leak. Try to get out of the environment that is causing you to dwell on the source of your stress. This may mean breaking a routine or finding a quiet place in your home or neighborhood. One of the people I assisted put a light in a large closet and put a sign of the door that read “Occupied!” It became her retreat. Others may find a quiet spot in a park or spot on the beach. It is important to plug the leaking energy that the soul stress is draining away. This will allow your soul to use that energy to bring healing.
Step Two – Quiet the Body and Mind. Many will tell me that they have to be active to relax. I can appreciate their belief. I to do not sit still very well either. But to adequately address the soul weariness, stillness of mind and body allows the soul to draw upon all the energy it has available. To cope with negative thoughts, the soul needs all the energy it can muster to allow hope to blossom. To cope with anger and bitterness, the soul needs a great deal of energy to be able explore the positive feelings that are being starved. Some may use meditation. Others may us a contemplative practice. But if you can find a place apart from the source of stress and bring quiet to your mind and body, your soul will begin to heal itself.
Step Three – Allow the Soul to Heal – In those moments, the soul will begin to rebuild lost connections between your yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It will refill the reserves of love and trust. It will begin to restore your ability to experience joy and feel hope. You will begin to feel like yourself once again.
It is better to do this for 15 - 30 minutes a day than it is to put it off until you can take a day or a week. Stillness is a skill that is learned by disciplined practice. So that, when you find yourself experiencing soul stress, your mind-body-soul will know what to do to renew your spirit.
Step One – Plug the Leak. Try to get out of the environment that is causing you to dwell on the source of your stress. This may mean breaking a routine or finding a quiet place in your home or neighborhood. One of the people I assisted put a light in a large closet and put a sign of the door that read “Occupied!” It became her retreat. Others may find a quiet spot in a park or spot on the beach. It is important to plug the leaking energy that the soul stress is draining away. This will allow your soul to use that energy to bring healing.
Step Two – Quiet the Body and Mind. Many will tell me that they have to be active to relax. I can appreciate their belief. I to do not sit still very well either. But to adequately address the soul weariness, stillness of mind and body allows the soul to draw upon all the energy it has available. To cope with negative thoughts, the soul needs all the energy it can muster to allow hope to blossom. To cope with anger and bitterness, the soul needs a great deal of energy to be able explore the positive feelings that are being starved. Some may use meditation. Others may us a contemplative practice. But if you can find a place apart from the source of stress and bring quiet to your mind and body, your soul will begin to heal itself.
Step Three – Allow the Soul to Heal – In those moments, the soul will begin to rebuild lost connections between your yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It will refill the reserves of love and trust. It will begin to restore your ability to experience joy and feel hope. You will begin to feel like yourself once again.
It is better to do this for 15 - 30 minutes a day than it is to put it off until you can take a day or a week. Stillness is a skill that is learned by disciplined practice. So that, when you find yourself experiencing soul stress, your mind-body-soul will know what to do to renew your spirit.
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