Cleansing and detoxing through diet or medication are all the rage right now. When I did a Google search of “Cleansing” and “Detox,” million of results showed up. The amount of data overwhelmed me as I tried to sort out the information. Why do we need a detox?
We cleanse or detox to rid our bodies of harmful toxins, at least according to the ads I read. “Do you consume too much sugar in your diet?” ask one internet source. “For a small fee of $19.99, we will provide you the perfect diet to rid your body of that excess sugar.” Sometimes, it seems, we want a quick fix to the problem, so we don’t have to change our way of eating. Doing a cleanse appears easier than giving up eating the sugar in the first place. But, easy is not always the right way.
Why Detox?
What about the toxins in our souls? Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, warned the people of Jerusalem of their need to do a cleanse. In Jeremiah 4:14, we read, “O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts?” These words still apply to us today. Our thoughts, instead of our diet, are how toxins enter our hearts and pollute our bodies. Do we need a cleanse for our soul?
[bctt tweet="Do we need a cleanse for our soul?"]Signs We Need Detox
Some of the signs that our hearts need a cleanse become visible through our words and actions. We fly off the handle and lash out at those we love. Our nights are packed with tossing and turning. The joy of Christ that once filled us now feels very far away. Life is more of a burden than a blessing. In light of all we see and hear on the news daily, is it any wonder that our souls become distressed.
Ways to Detox
What are some ways we can detox our Christian hearts?
- Prayer – asking God to show us areas that need cleansing
- Read the Bible – search the scriptures for examples of ways others improved the condition of their hearts
- Surround ourselves with Christians who encourage us and help us
- Take time to help others in need
- Journal the ways God is moving in our life
[bctt tweet="When we lose the joy of Christ, it might be time for a detox."]These are just a few examples to start us on a path to rehabbing our spiritual bodies. I pray we find time this year to make some of the most significant changes. This hard work pays off for all of eternity.
Blessings,
Yvonne M Morgan, #Blogger, #Speaker, #Writer
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
100% of the proceeds from sales of my book, Turning Mountains Into Molehills, go to help the orphans at Orphan Relief Effort, Inc
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Meaningful article. I love your last paragraph, “These are just a few examples to start us on a path to rehabbing our spiritual bodies. I pray we find time this year to make some of the most significant changes. This hard work pays off for all of eternity.” So true. Thanks!
It is so important that we look at our lives with a view towards eternity. Thanks for the comments Claudio and God bless
This is so good!!!! Reading the Bible is always a good way for me to detox, and lately, I’ve realized that surrounding myself with other Christians is hugely helpful, as well.
You are so correct, being with other believers really help us in our walk. Thanks Jessica and God bless
Thanks Yvonne, Those signs you list that will indicate our need for detox are right on the mark. Time for self-examination.
Yup, me too. Toxins creep in so quickly that we must always be on guard. Thanks Beth and God bless
We can sometimes be obsessed with our bodies–feeding, shaping, overfeeding, detoxing, rinse and repeat. But our souls are who we truly are. Great post! God bless!
Thank you Nancy. It is so easy for us to overlook the condition of our soul and as you said, it is who we truly are.
Such a good post, Yvonne. Love the tie-in to the trend of physical detoxing. It is easy to be distracted and lose one’s focus spiritually. This was helpful and clear in providing antidote!
Thanks Pam. I appreciate your thoughts. It is so important for us to remember our soul as well as our body.
Love this post Sister thank you very much for the tips I will be using them in the up coming weeks. God Bless.
Thanks so much Stephen. We all need ways to keep our souls in step with God so His plans can happen through us. God bless
Powerful post, Yvonne. I remember when I was the youth director at our church, I took the students through a study called “Soul Detox.” Love all your tips on detoxing our lives and hearts as believers. And the best part is that it’s free, no money needed. However, it does cost us time spent in prayer and getting in God’s Word, to be intentional in Christian living, who we hang out with, and serving others, But, oh, the benefits are amazing and far outweigh what we invest!
I am so glad you shared about this study. I will look it up. You are so correct in that the benefits far outweigh anything and they are eternal too. God bless
I love the analogy you’ve created. Detox is a perfect way to think about this. The world just pollutes everything. Which is why I try to have a retreat–just me and Jesus–periodically.
What a wonderful idea to retreat just the two of you. I will need to think about doing that somewhere in the mountains. Thanks Linda and God bless.
Sigh. Yes, it seems we’re (myself included!) often more focused on physical health than on spiritual health.
Agreed, because that is what we are bombarded with daily. I think many people forget about detoxing their souls and we need it. Thanks Ava and God bless
Great post, Yvonne! I love your first suggestion to pray, asking God to show us the areas in need of cleansing. I pray something similar as part of my daily prayers. We really need the Holy Spirit to expose those secret sins and hidden faults we truly cannot see for ourselves. He has been faithful to help me see and grow in my innermost being. It may be painful, but the result is beautiful.
Yes we do. We can get so caught up in the right things we do that we neglect our sins. Thanks Melissa and God bless
I loved your suggestions for detox. And that you didn’t include things like TV. We mistake those for rest, but they actually drain us even more!
They do drain us and distract us from the true purpose God has for us. Thanks Emily and God bless
A great reminder! And a telling list of signs and evidence that we’re primed for a detox! We need to stay alert to the condition of our souls! “
Just one of many signs: “O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts?”
Amen. Our world feels so full of evil thoughts some days so I think many of us, including me are in need of a good detox. Thanks Melinda and God bless