I know many individuals who plan to begin this year with a detox. Whether it’s using juices, essential oils, soups, shakes, or other special foods and supplements, they hope to rid themselves of toxins and/or get back to healthy eating after binging over the holidays. Though I’m not currently interested in a detox of this kind, I’ve become increasingly aware that my heart could use a detox. I’ve been accumulating many toxic thoughts and behaviors over the last few months. I need a spiritual detox to start the year off right!
I’m going to be open with you about some of the things with which I’ve been struggling:
- Bitterness towards my husband. When my husband is home on the weekends, I sometimes feel bitter towards him because I feel that I am doing more around the house than he is. I’ll mentally tally all of the things I’ve done and compare these to what he has done. Moreover, I’ll mull my frustrations instead of talking to him about what I’m feeling.
- Lack of patience with my kids. I have a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a newborn. Some days I just don’t have the patience that I should. Sometimes I hear “Mommy, mommy, mommy…” or “Why?” so many times that I begin being curt with my kids. Other times I raise my voice and shout at my kids when they misbehave instead of addressing their behaviors in a calm fashion.
- Going through the motions. Despite being busy and tired, I’m still getting up each morning and spending time with the Lord. I’m still going to church and attending Bible study. However, I’ve been on autopilot a lot. In other words, I go through the motions of these activities, but my heart isn’t engaged.
I wish I could say that these three struggles are the only ones I’m facing, but there are more. I’m not going to take time to list them all because we’d be here for a while! Whether you are struggling with these same things or with other toxic thoughts and behaviors (comparison, laziness, anger, addiction, judgement, etc.), I believe there are some things we can do to have a spiritual detox at the start of this year.
How to detox our hearts
Be conscious that our spiritual conditions are impacted by everything we allow in our lives
We can’t compartmentalize our spiritual lives; they are impacted by everything we encounter. Our self-talk, our entertainment choices, what churches we attend, our interactions with the people around us, etc. all have an impact.
Stop consuming toxic stuff
Given that our spiritual lives are impacted by everything we encounter, we must choose to stop consuming things that are toxic. We can’t expect to be healthy spiritually if we are binging on things that pull us away from the Lord! Of course, some things are beyond our control (such as the people who comprise our families or our coworkers), but we can control many things. For example, we can control who we hang out with for fun, what movies/TV shows we watch, where we attend church, what books we read, etc.
Personally, I find it useful to evaluate things like entertainment choices using Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.”
Replace toxic thoughts and behaviors with beneficial ones
It’s often not enough to avoid toxic stuff. If we’re used to engaging in toxic thoughts or behaviors, then voids are left when we stop engaging in these. Something will fill these voids. Unfortunately, it’s common for other toxic things to slip in if we’re not intentional about filling the voids with good things.
Confess our sins
Confession is essential if we’re going to clean up our hearts. This is because, regardless of how sorry we are for them, we can’t wash ourselves of our sins. Only God can make us clean. Thankfully, when we confess our sins to God, He forgives us and purifies us (1 John 1:9). In addition to confessing to God, we should make it a habit to confess our sins to each other (James 5:13-16).
Search our hearts for hidden sins
Some sin struggles are obvious, but others aren’t. Sins that are “socially acceptable” (such as worry, self-righteousness, fear, gluttony, and bragging) are especially easy to overlook. If we’re really going to cleanse ourselves from toxins, then we must search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24), find these hidden sins, and repent of them.
Get accountability
It’s generally easier for us to avoid specific thoughts or behaviors when we have accountability. Having friends or loved ones to pray with us, challenge us, and ask about our progress can provide the extra support we need to be successful. Personally, I find it challenging to get accountability. This isn’t because I’m uncomfortable with the concept or don’t want to be vulnerable—it’s because I find it difficult to find someone who is willing and able to hold me accountable. Given how busy most adults are these days, you may have had a similar experience. This year, I’m putting extra effort into fostering accountability with my Christian friends.
Consume extra of the beneficial stuff
We already talked about replacing toxic thoughts and behaviors with beneficial ones. This is crucial, but when you have a season focused on a spiritual detox, I think it is also helpful to consume extra of the beneficial stuff. There are lots of ways to do this. An important one is to spend extra time reading the Bible (check out one of these Bible reading plans if you’d like a guide to help you read through the entire Bible in one or two years). It’s also good to do things like go on a retreat, fast (from food and/or from social media, TV, etc.), find new ways to serve, listen to worship music, memorize Bible verses that address the areas where you’ve been struggling (Proverbs 3:5), and read several books on Christian living or biographies of Christians from whom you can learn.
Final thoughts
As you’ve likely gathered, I’m using the term “toxic” to describe anything that interferes with my relationship with God and keeps me from serving Him. The strategies listed above aren’t a magic bullet, but I hope that by being intentional about implementing them, I’ll start this year focused on God and trusting Him in every area of my life. Will you join me?
Have you ever been intentional about having a spiritual detox? What things helped you get the toxins out?
I really appreciate this post. It gives me a lot to think about and, for me anyway, much more impactful than thinking about a New Year’s resolution. Thank you.
I’m glad the post is helpful to you, Mary!
I’m still thinking and praying through all this. It is helpful!
Good, honest thoughts here, Shannon. We all have junk that needs to be flushed out of our hearts.
Yes, we do! I hope to start this year free of some of it.
Thanks for stopping by, Michele.