Small Soul

When helping a person change, it’s important to consider their soul’s capacity. This concept, inspired by Paul’s language in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, describes individuals as either fainthearted or feebleminded. Just as physical bodies differ, so do our souls, meaning people have varying soul capacities. For example, some may be fainthearted, needing more encouragement, while others might have a sturdy soul, capable of greater perseverance.

Understanding “soul size” is crucial to avoid overwhelming someone in counseling or discipleship. Misjudging this can lead to placing too much burden on an individual. Therefore, wisdom is needed to avoid both under-discipling and over-discipling.

To illustrate, consider Forrest Gump and Elon Musk. Forrest Gump, with his low IQ but great capacity to love, represents a small soul. In contrast, Elon Musk, with his cognitive abilities and imagination, exemplifies a large soul. Similarly, Paul from the Bible, with his deep scriptural understanding and multilingual abilities, is another example of a large soul. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate large soul person.

When engaging with individuals, recognizing their soul size helps in tailoring your approach. While it’s essential not to shy away from challenging them, we must seek God’s guidance to understand their capacities. For instance, counseling Forrest Gump and Elon Musk simultaneously would require different strategies, given their differing capacities.

In summary, being mindful of an individual’s soul size helps in providing the right level of support and challenge, ensuring effective and compassionate guidance.