Anyone who has ever sought out treatment in an emergency room has encountered a process called triaging. In the emergency room there is a medical professional that assesses patients by asking questions regarding their complaint, symptoms, medical and social history. All of this is to determine the condition of the patient overall health and well-being in order to prioritize treatment. The goal of the triage procedure is to identify the root cause of a health issue by objectively exploring the bodies systems in order to restore the patient to their maximum level of function. Moreover, it is equally as important that we do a triage of our soul. The process of triage is important for spiritual formation in order to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Our soul (inner most being) is made up of our thoughts, will, and emotions. Rather we acknowledge it or not, what we experience, how we feel, and the way that we think influence the life we live. Our soul is continually being saved once we submit to the will of God for our life. We must triage our soul in order to continue to develop as Christians to go far beyond the point of conversion (getting saved, shaking the preacher’s hand, and joining church) into living a life that is truly transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.
To be honest, life has a way of sifting at our spiritual well-being. When we don’t take the time to assess what is happening in our lives and reflect upon the word of God concerning our situations and circumstances, we find ourselves in a state of needing emergency treatment for our soul. By then we are burdened, weighed down, anxious, fearful, confused, crazy, and not spiritually in tune with God. Triage encompasses our ability to determine which areas of our soul require our attention in any given season. Triage is done to expose the condition of the entire soul, because God’s intent for his people is wholeness. In order to address our condition, we must be able to recognize and fully acknowledge what our condition truly is. Soul triage requires transparency and it is a necessary process that will catapult us into fulfilling our destiny and purpose.
Our body craves and desires the things of the world. This simply means that we still want the things that we experienced before we were saved; especially if those things were pleasurable. Our soul is emotional and self-centered. This means that we are used to functioning according to how we feel and what we think. For many people the flesh has authority and rule over the soul. However, it is the will of God for our spirit to have authority and control over our flesh and our soul. As long as we live, the spirit and the flesh will always be at war over our soul. The spirit should always have power over the flesh, bring it in to submission. This is why the bible tells us that we must be led by the spirit. Our spirit grows and prospers based on our revelation of God and who He is in relation to our purpose and destiny.
Your spirit can only grow with spiritual food; which is the word of God. We measure the state of our soul in accordance with the word of God. It is vital for every disciple to triage every aspect of their soul to be the best representative of Christ in the earth that they can be. We don’t want to offend God or discredit the name of Jesus Christ by not cultivating our life of discipleship. The practice of soul triage is derived out of our desire to become all that God has called us to be.
Triage Questions:
- What are you consumed with mentally?
- What is the first thing you think of in the morning and the last thing you think of at night?
- How would you describe your emotional well-being?
- Have you submitted to the will of God for your life? If so, how do you know?
- How does your goals, plans, etc. align with God’s will for your life?