In Luke 21:19, Jesus tells His disciples, “By your patience possess your souls.” He explains that persecution and tribulation were sure to come as they went out into the world to preach the gospel and testify to salvation through Jesus Christ.
What Is the Soul?
The soul is the “God-breathed” part of man.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
Genesis 2:7 · NKJV
The Hebrew word nephesh refers to a living being or creature. In Genesis 2:7, naphach means “to breathe” or “to blow.” God breathed the breath of life into man’s nostrils, and man became a living being. Without God’s breath, we would not exist.
Your soul is your personality. Your identity is also seated in the soul—how you perceive yourself.
The soul is complex. Its five gates—imagination, conscience, memory, reason, and affections—serve as exits and entrances. Its four components are the mind, emotions, will, and intellect.
These nine working parts reveal the complexity of the soul. A disruption in one can have a cascading effect on all the others.
Why Patience?
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
James 1:2–4 · NKJV
Persecution and tribulation place pressure on the soul, influencing whether we respond with obedience or disobedience, love or hate. Through patience, the soul must learn how to “stand” in the midst of difficulties without being ruled by its wounds. In order to stand, the soul must be healed. A healed soul can endure hardship, remain obedient to God, and become a testament to God and Jesus Christ.