Alabama Lifestyle Blog

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Soul Detox

It seems like these days that everyone is fascinated with clean eating. Absorbed in clean products and going green. But how often do we stop and focus on the toxins we are daily consuming that are affecting more than just our bodies?
My in-laws lead a young adult small group bible study during the week and while we were living there we got to join in the group (thankfully!) rather than being banished upstairs to join the panther until everyone was gone. The husband and I are beyond grateful for the time we were able to join in this community as we have made several good friends through it and were able to be involved in a small group with like minded young adults. Since the group is for unmarried young adults, we no longer go since we’ve moved out, but had the opportunity to lead the other night as surprise “guest speakers” and it was wonderful! But it was also terrifying. Now, I have lead countless small group studies, given several talks to large groups, and lectured to university classes. But for the most part, I spoke on topics I had a firm grasp on. Ones of an intellectual or historical meaning – pulling from scripture & relaying information that was convicting on a universal level – not attempting to lead on an area that hits so close to home.

Funny how your struggles and bad habits come to find you.  The group had been going through the video series based on the book Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World. The book & videos go through all of the toxic areas in our lives and how to rid ourselves of them – a spiritual cleanse if you will. The topic of the week we were to lead was Toxic Thoughts. What is the old saying, “those who can’t do, teach”? Well that’s certainly how I felt about that night. How in this world am I supposed to teach on the biggest struggle in my life without being a complete and total hypocrite? How am I to tell others how to turn their toxic thoughts into God’s truth when I fail daily at doing so myself?
But have you ever noticed that the Lord tends to choose the most unlikely candidates to do His work? He chose fishermen as his disciples. Moses stuttered and was a murderer, yet God used him for His glory and to speak His truth. Simon Peter preached his greatest message and had his greatest ministry after he denied the Lord. Abraham lied, yet he was used of the Lord. He chose David, the smallest & youngest to lead His people. God used a young Jewish girl named Esther to save His people from slaughter. And so, how much could he then use me as well?
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Our thoughts matter so much. The thought really does count because what you think determines what you become.
He talks in the book not only about these toxic thoughts, but how we are to overcome our false beliefs. He mentions four different categories of what our false beliefs look like: negative/pessimistic, fearful/anxious, discontented/bitterness and critical thoughts. We each likely fall into one or more of these categories. 

Thinking we aren’t good enough. That we’ll never be good enough. That our lives will never change.
Worrying about our loved ones. That when they are late, it’s not because of extra traffic, but rather an accident or something terrible happening to them.
Coveting what our neighbors have. The house, the car, the clothes, etc. Always wanting more and never being satisfied with what we do have, regardless of how special it is.
Always seeing the worst in everything. In people, in places, in life. Being critical of all that we see for no reason at all.

“Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be.”

 – Henry David Thoreau

My husband had a great analogy to this. The TV show Naked and Afraid has become a favorite of ours to watch. They stick two people in a remote location, you guessed it – naked – to survive the elements and each other. After a few days without food or clean water, people begin to doubt if they can make it. Their whole mindset changes and all they want to do is lay around and do nothing, letting those thoughts fester and make them more unhappy. Occasionally, one the partners will rid those toxic thoughts and think of what they can accomplish and set out to do so – and are usually successful in some manner. They way they start to think determines their entire survival.

The author mentions another great analogy to explain how our thoughts influence how we act and who we are. He calls to mind a vulture. Lurking around seeking out dead animals. Rotting, decaying items from which to feed on. And every day, they find such things. Likewise, a hummingbird seeks out nectar. Sweet, refreshing, life-giving delight. And every day, they find such things. It is the same with our thoughts. If we constantly seek out toxic thoughts, they will be found. If we focus on riding our minds of those thoughts, and focusing of God’s truth, then we will find it.

Now I understand you’re likely thinking exactly what I did, “It sounds so easy just to say think on good things and not on bad things, but we are human”. And that’s the point. We are human. We are going to think the toxic thoughts. Not if, but when we think these thoughts, it’s how we respond that makes the difference.

Our thoughts matter so much. The thought really does count because what you think determines what you become.

He goes through several toxic thoughts and how to change them by taking them captive and filtering them through scripture. Much like you would when speaking a foreign language you were just learning. It’s a bit awkward at first, but then slowly, over time and with practice, it becomes much more natural to speak fluently. Scripture teaches us that we are to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete”. (1 Corinthians 10:5-6)

I loved this passage from the book that gives such a a great image. “Even if a grain of truth exists in a particular thought, where you plant the seed determines how, and if, it will grow. If you let the weeds grow in your garden too long, they will choke out the truth and smother your joy.”

We need to slow down and ask if the thought is true or has any validity to it. You will find what you search for. You can believe the worst or think the best. You can find reasons to worry or reasons to have faith. 
Our thoughts matter so much. The thought really does count because what you think determines what you become.

He breaks down the book into the different areas of what could be toxic in our lives. The video was a tad cheesy, but the message was good and he did a great job explaining using simple examples and drawing on his own experiences and humanity. I can always appreciate an author who isn’t afraid to admit he’s struggling right along with us to do the best he can while serving our King. Excited to read the rest of the book! Perhaps a full review will come one day as well. Check out the different areas he touches on below:
What are the toxic areas in your life that you are trying to get rid of?

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