Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
Most of us enter the new year with some ideas about what we’d like to do differently. Maybe you want to adjust your diet or your budget. Maybe you want to develop a more positive mindset. These are good goals.
But how can you ensure that your new year will lead to better emotional and spiritual health?
Sometimes well-seasoned advice is the most valuable kind, and hundreds of years ago, the prophet Jeremiah delivered sound counsel to the nation of Israel.
God called Jeremiah to minister to Israel during the reign of godly King Josiah, but the kings who followed Josiah led the nation deep into false religions and immoral lifestyles. Early in his ministry, Jeremiah gave God’s people wise counsel on improving their spiritual health, but they ignored him. We don’t have to make their mistake. Following Jeremiah’s advice in the new year will lead us to the spiritual well-being, the soul rest, God promises.
First, we look for what the prophet called “ancient paths.” For Israel, that meant the Mosaic law; for us, it means the whole Bible. God tells us in His Word how to be spiritually healthy. The ancient wisdom of Psalm 119:105 is as relevant today as it ever was: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” If we want to navigate our journey with LGBT family members wisely and maintain a godly perspective, we’ll spend time in God’s Word each day. We’ll cling to its promises and honor its commands. We’ll ask the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions. A firm grip on God’s words will help us to detect and dismiss Satan’s lies. He is clever, and if our mind isn’t saturated with God’s words, Satan will fill it with his deceptions.
Second, we not only ask where the good way is, we also seek it. Philippians 4:8 tells us what to seek: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Satan wants to draw you into the murky swamp of doubt, disappointment, and depression. Don’t let him! If this means staying away from TV or the internet, then turn them off. Choose music, books, and movies that draw you closer to God and to other people.
Third, we walk in the “good way.” That may mean getting involved in volunteer work in your church, neighborhood, or community. Surround yourself with friends who make you laugh and encourage you. Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Satan wants to get us alone and convince us that we don’t need other people. But we do. God designed us for relationship—with Him and with others. So get together and get involved.
God longs for us to enjoy the soul rest only He can provide. Following Jeremiah’s counsel is the path that leads us there.