Adzo sat on her living room couch, staring at the stack of mail on the coffee table. It was one of those rare moments of stillness in her busy life. The unopened envelopes, bills, a few advertisements, and a thank-you card from the shelter where she volunteered seemed to mock her exhaustion.
She had always been the one people turned to for help. Need a meal? Call Adzo. Need a ride? Call Adzo. Need someone to talk to at 2 a.m.? Adzo was there. From the outside, she was the definition of a good Samaritan, a compassionate, dependable woman who always put others before herself.
But on the inside, she was running on empty.
Adzo had been feeling the cracks for months, constant fatigue, sleepless nights, and a nagging sense that despite all she was doing, she was somehow falling short. She hadn’t told anyone, not even her closest friends, how overwhelmed she felt. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful or worse, like she couldn’t handle it all.
One Sunday morning, Adzo dragged herself to church at the Stacey Bushes Meeting Place, arriving a little late around 11am and slipping into the back row. She barely had the energy to stand during worship. When her lady pastor opened her Bible and began to preach, she felt like the message was directed squarely at her.
“Turn with me to 3 John, verse 2,” Lady Pastor Lisa said.
Adzo flipped through her Bible, scanning the words:
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2
LP Lisa continued, “This is a prayer from the Apostle John to his dear friend Gaius. It’s a reminder that God cares about every part of our lives, our spiritual health, our physical health and our overall well-being. It’s not God’s plan for you to run yourself into the ground. He wants you to thrive, to prosper, to live in the fullness of His blessings.”
Adzo felt tears sting her eyes. She had been so focused on helping others that she had forgotten to take care of herself. The lady pastor’s words hit her heart like a gentle but firm nudge from God: Adzo, I care about you too.
That afternoon, Adzo sat by the window in her small apartment, sipping a cup of tea. The sunlight streamed in through the curtains, and she opened her Bible to 3 John 2 again. She underlined the verse, whispering the words aloud:
“I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
She realized she had been neglecting the health of her own soul. She had been running on autopilot, pouring out to others without stopping to refill her own spirit. She prayed quietly:
“Lord, I’ve been so busy taking care of everyone else that I’ve forgotten to take care of myself. I don’t want to keep living like this. Help me to slow down, to care for my soul, and to trust that You care about my well-being too. Help me to prosper in the way You desire, for my soul, my health, and my life.”
In the weeks that followed, Adzo began making intentional changes in her life.
- Caring for Her Soul
Adzo started small. She set her alarm 15 minutes earlier each morning to spend quiet time with God. At first, it felt like just another thing on her to-do list, but as the days went by, she began to look forward to those moments of stillness. She read the Psalms, prayed for wisdom, and journaled her thoughts. Slowly, she felt her soul begin to prosper. - Prioritizing Her Physical Health
Adzo hadn’t realized just how much her physical health had been suffering. She often skipped meals or grabbed fast food between errands, and she hadn’t exercised in months. She made a commitment to cook one healthy meal a day and to take a 20-minute walk every evening. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. - Learning to Say No
Perhaps the hardest change for Adzo was learning to set boundaries. She realized that always saying yes to others was leaving her too drained to care for herself. With prayer and practice, she began saying no to things that weren’t truly necessary, trusting that God would provide for others in ways that didn’t always rely on her.
One evening, Adzo met up with her mentor, Mrs. Evelyn, a retired teacher who had been like a second mother to her. Over coffee, Adzo shared everything she had been going through, the exhaustion, the sermon that changed her perspective, and the steps she was taking to restore balance in her life.
Mrs. Evelyn smiled and said, “Adzo, I’ve been praying for you. I could see you were wearing yourself thin, but I knew God would get through to you when the time was right. Remember, even Jesus took time to rest. He often went away to pray and recharge. If the Son of God needed rest, how much more do we?”
Adzo laughed softly, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. “Thank you for reminding me of that,” she said. “I think I finally understand that rest isn’t selfish, it’s part of living the life God wants for us.”
Months later, Adzo’s life looked very different. She still volunteered at the shelter, still mentored the kids at her church, but she did so with a renewed sense of purpose and energy. By caring for her soul and her health, she found she was able to give to others from a place of abundance rather than exhaustion.
One of her friends at church noticed the change and asked, “Adzo, what’s your secret? You seem so at peace these days.”
Adzo smiled and said, “It’s not a secret, it’s God’s promise. He wants us to prosper in every part of our lives, but it starts with letting Him take care of our souls.”
3 John 2 reminds us that God cares about every aspect of our lives:
- Spiritual Prosperity
A thriving soul is the foundation for a fulfilling life. When we prioritize our relationship with God, everything else begins to fall into place. - Physical and Emotional Health
God values the health of our bodies and minds. Taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish, it’s a way to honour Him and prepare ourselves to serve others well. - Holistic Well-Being
True prosperity isn’t about wealth or status; it’s about thriving in every area of life, our relationships, our work, and our faith.
May you prosper in every area of your life. May God bless your health, your relationships, and your soul. As you draw closer to Him, may you experience the fullness of His love and His desire for you to thrive.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2
Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about every part of my life. Help me to care for my soul by staying close to You. Teach me to care for my body and mind so I can live the life You’ve called me to. Bless my work, my relationships, and my purpose, and let everything I do glorify You. In Jesus Name, Amen
