THRIVE Episode 15: Interview with Amy Seiffert
Today is the conclusion about soul care. I hope you enjoyed last’s week’s interview with Jolene Underwood who is a soul care mentor. She added a thoughtful approach and mindset to this conversation.
Today we are in for a treat talking to Amy Seiffert.
Amy has been writing, teaching, and speaking on staff with CRU for over 17 years and is currently the Director of Outward Movement at Brookside Church. She is married to Rob since 2001, and they live in Bowling Green, OH with their three children Robby, Olive, and Judah.
MC: What does soul care mean to you?
AS: Soul care...truly that: caring for one’s soul.
There are two sides to this coin: we work out our soul care with God; God works inside of us to care for our soul. It feels like very spiritual work similar to how Paul talks about our sanctification. Working out with God as He works within us.
MC: How do you feel like soul care is different from self-care?
AS: It’s a fine line there...but soul care has an intentional restoration of your soul...where self care is often (but not always) thought of as “me-time” that may or may not have actually restored your soul. Binge watching Netflix or getting a mani-pedi may be great self-care...but they may not restore your soul.
As with all things, it’s the state of your heart that matters.
For instance, tennis can be a great self-care activity to me...but I also have experienced it as soul-care. I have met God on the court and I have felt restored. I have hit balls to release tension, frustration, and control and to let God be God in my life.
But then there are days where tennis is frustrating and I leave the court more wound up rather than restored. It seems like almost anything can fall into soul-care if we are willing to let God restore the dry places in it.
Soul care is intentional time to restore your soul. It’s where you let God minister to you as best as you are able.
MC: What challenges do you face practicing soul care?
AS: I talk about this in my 10 day theme in my new book Grace Looks Amazing On You: the 10 day theme is Grace Looks Like Practice…
And often when I practice soul care...my circus brain gets in the way. My thoughts and my to-do lists and my grocery store run and all the little thoughts feel like circus animals that need to be tamed. My mind often needs to be trained to quiet down.
Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace by which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ~Romans 5:2
MC: How have you overcome these challenges?
AS:
The 5 minutes of Stillness and palms down and palms up exercise
Richard Foster Celebration of Discipline book - classics on discipline..mediation...unlike eastern meditation - to empty the mind - the goal is for christian meditation God to fill the mind… Psalm 23:2...great place to go to meditate… “He restores my soul” Psalm 23:2
MC: How do you believe soul care is Scriptural?
AS:
YES: From the very first week of creation - God says to rest. He built rest and restoration into the rhythm of humanity...and we have run it over with our striving and schedules.
We see Jesus himself steal away to pray and h, e gets up early to pray and be alone with the Father often in scripture. We see him bringing the disciples away from crowds to rest.
Taking care of our body is a big deal to God. He has given us our bodies and we ought to steward them well. Rest them. Trust God with them. Be in communion with them.
Would love to hear about the mind-body components you mentioned in our message…Notice our feelings with non-judgemental compassion. I like using our body in soul care...we are integrated people and so using our palms, signaling a dumping of our cup….breathing - Tasha Landsbury talks about wiggling our toes to calm the fight or flight going on...as a recovering yeller….
MC: How has practicing soul care strengthened your relationships?
AS:
-When I am unhurried and healthy, I am kind and compassionate toward others. When I am gracious to myself, and allow God’s grace to wash over me, I can pass that back out.
-But when I run around on empty, or run on criticism of myself and others...it drives a wedge there in my relationships
-What’s in my cup analogy - if we have bitterness in our cups - when we get bumped, bitterness spills out on others. But if we have grace in our cups - then that spills out on others.
-The Dump Your Cup Practice is also really helpful….similar to palms down, palms up
MC: What is getting you excited right now?
AS: Well my book just came out 2 weeks ago...and hearing those stories...so sweet!
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Grace-Looks-Amazing/Amy-Seiffert/9781496440617?id=7874906506625
And….
I love the Nordace Backpack these days…
MC: What podcasts are you into right now?
AS: MomsStrugglingWell, Brene Brown’s Unlocking Us Podcast, Jen Hatmaker:For the Love,The Big Top
MC: What book are you reading or recently read that you’re loving?
AS:
-Changes that heal
-Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
-Adore by Sara Haguerty
- Beth Moore, Chasing Vines
MC: Where can we find you?
AS: I can be found on the web, Facebook and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/amyseiffertblog/?ref=bookmarks
Instagram: @AmySeiffert
Thank you for joining me this week on the Thrive: Mental Health and the Art of Living Free. Make sure to listen and subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher so you never miss a show. Hey, while you’re at it, help me out by adding some stars to the rating and tell a friend about the show.
Be sure to tune in next week, where we start a new series. May is Mental Health Awareness month. We are going to be talking about Eating Disorders, Addictions, Bipolar disorder and so much more. This is a series you won’t want to miss.
Have a great week!