“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” Luke 9:25
The good news is that there are seven worlds to gain. The bad news is that you have one soul to lose. God has given to the human soul the capacities of faith, hope, and love. They’re of infinite value because they never pass away. What would it mean to lose them?
Losing faith. Take the world of business or ministry: you’re becoming more cynical. You feel overwhelmed by the pressures of the marketplace. You lose confidence in the people around you, and you are complaining more. You’re losing faith.
Losing hope. Take the world of relationships or sports: you dwell on failures and missed opportunities. You wonder, “If only I had done that.” All you see are the bright skies in your past and the dark clouds in your future. You’re losing hope.
Losing love. Take the world of knowledge, relationships, or leisure: you’re angry and frustrated when the people around you don’t drop everything to support you. You used to feel deeply, now your joys and sorrows are less intense. You wonder why. You’re losing love.
The capacity of the soul is like a balloon that can expand or shrivel. When God’s Spirit blows into your soul, you will discover new capacities of faith, hope, and love.
But without that breath, your soul shrivels. The pressures of life will suck the life from your soul. Over time, you find yourself losing faith, hope, and love. You do not have to look far to see people all around you who are gaining the world and losing their souls.
What signs do you see that you might be losing your soul?
