A Different Kind of Detox

"Detox" is a big deal these days. Most people start off their new diets or health resolutions with a "detox."

Often, we are prompted to do this because we have been feeling bad. Our lack of self-control in life weighs on our conscience. We are having health problems: fatigued, achy, sleepless, sluggish, depressed. We feel guilty because we know we have been eating poorly. We know are losing muscle tone and can't run an 8-minute mile like we used to. The clothes in our closet that no longer fit hang there, taunting us, torturing us.

But our health is not always just about our bodies and what we eat. Our spiritual and mental health plays a big role in our quality of life.

I don't know about you, but the physical detox is hard for me. Actually--it's the closest to impossible thing I ever attempt. So. Hard.

We are not always ready to commit to the physical detox. It is hard to give up the very things that we have come to rely on to get us through our stressful days--the nap, the chocolate, the fancy coffee, the snack, the ice cream, the glass of wine.

There are other ways to detox. I'm starting a 40-day detox now. It's a Word Detox.

Our words are TOXIC. Not only the words we speak. Our thoughts are formed of words, too. (Other eloquent people have deemed this "Stinkin' Thinkin'.)

Starting today, I am eliminating speech and thoughts that are:

• Angry
• Whiny
• Complaining
• Judgmental
• Selfish
• Negative
• Mean
• Fearful
• Discontent

Remember the Bible tells us that our words have the power of life and death. The power to bless and to curse. Not just our spoken words, but our thoughts, too.

If you are not quite up to committing to a physcial diet detox, or you have been trying to and failing, consider trying this spiritual detox instead.

I would dare to say the spiritual side of our lives is more powerful than the physical. Detoxifying spiritually will be life-giving to your soul. But it will also heal your body. Look. It says so:

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:24

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person,
but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.

Matthew 15:11

From the fruit of the mouth, one's stomach is satisfied;
the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.

Proverbs 18:20

For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle.

James 3:2

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

 Psalm 19:14

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof on the day of judgment.

For by thy words, thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Matthew 12:36-37

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, 

but that which is good to the use of edifying, 

that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Ephesians 4:29

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword:

but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 12:18

But now ye also put off all these;

anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Colossians 3:8

Death and life are in the power of the tongue:

and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 18:21

Even so, the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.

Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:

So is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of hell.

James 3:5-6

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;

keep the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:

but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 13:3

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life:

but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Proverbs 15:4 

These verses above are just a few of the many that make a connection between our words and thoughts to both our physical and spiritual health. This kind of detox will actually help you both physically AND spiritually. According to these verses and more, we can expect health to the body, mind and soul, self-control, and it even says that our stomachs will be satisfied! Yes. If we watch our words. 
So it says. Right there. In the Bible. I say we give it a try.

Who's with me?  Forty days. August 23 through October 2.

I will at least give an update to how it goes for me!

God bless you!