BY: Teresa LeNeave - leneave2@comcast.net

Success and prosperity aren't just about luck or hard work. According to the Bible, they come from God. In Malachi, God promises to open the "windows of heaven" and pour out blessings if we are faithful with our tithes. (Malachi 3:10). It also says, "Every good and every perfect gift, comes from God, the "Father of lights." (paraphrase James 1:17).

My understanding of "good and perfect" includes good health, sound mind, and wholeness, but most people suffer with failing health or trouble in family or bad jobs or just trials of life. In spite of that, I still believe God desires for us to be in good health. According to Psalm 42, this wholeness is a blessing from God. No where is it clearer than when we read about King David when he talks about how his health and wellbeing come from God, even when life is difficult.

So why is there so much adverseness going on in life? Scripture says that humans are made up of three parts: body, soul, and spirit. With all the disease, anger and dis-rest in the world, it's not easy to keep those three in perfect alignment. The soul is the part of us that controls our thoughts, emotions, and actions ... those three we struggle with. Proverbs remind us to guard our hearts and minds because everything we do flows from them. What we see, hear, and think directly influences our lives, so we must be careful what we feed our souls.

Isaiah 55 says God's word waters the earth, causing it to grow and bring forth blessings. In the same way, when we fill our souls with God's truth and guidance, we will see blessing in our lives. Prosperity, as taught in the Bible, is not a life free from pain and suffering, but it is a life filled with God's strength that's given to sustain and get us through pain and suffering. Biblical prosperity reaches way deeper into life than money. If we get caught up on money alone, we'll miss the deeper promises of restoration and healing of body, soul, and spirit.

The Bible's message is clear: God wants us to prosper, be in good health, and have our souls grow in wisdom and peace. As our souls are nourished and prosper in God's ways, the rest of our lives; our finances, health, and emotions will follow. (3 John 1-2).

If you're struggling, remember: "If you don't like the harvest, pay attention to the seed you're planting." What we feed our soul is what will grow in our life. A preacher recently reminded me that some things change, only by much prayer and fasting. It takes time for seed to grow and very it's hard to pull up something that's grown deep and hardened. That's one reason we need God. Like an old song said, "He can calm the troubled waters of our soul".

Three good verses to memorize are: "I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me" (Phil 4"13). "God gives strength to the weary" (Isa. 40:29). And, "Fear not, for I am with you" (Isa 41:10).