Detox: Detoxifying Your THOUGHTS!

Detox 1

Detoxifying Your THOUGHTS!

by Daniel Carandang

You might wonder why this series is called Detox in the first place.

Detox" is a shorter term from "detoxify". The dictionary defines detoxifying as removing toxic substances / qualities from something, toxic being harmful leading to sickness or even death.

We live in a toxic world, not in the sense of nuclear toxic but emotionally, physically and spiritually toxic world. There's a constant danger for us because we are prone to absorb these toxic things. Our thoughts, emotions and even relationships can be easily affected and whether we like it or not, the consequences that follow are worse than what we thought. 

Are you familiar with the Chernobyl tragedy? It was a nuclear accident that caused lives and inflicted injuries on others. The toxic pollution was so bad that new born swines whose mothers were infected with the toxic wastes were born deformed and sometimes, dead. 

God doesn't want us in such situations. As much as possible, He wants us to avoid the emotional, physical and spiritual pains the toxicity this world has. 

For this blog, let's look at the number one target of world toxicity: OUR THOUGHTS.

What we choose to think about and what we dwell on reflects on how we live our lives. If you love KPop, it manifests in what you buy, what you listen to and sometimes, how you speak. Our thoughts play a powerful role in how we direct our actions.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Paul was exhorting the Christians in Rome to live a radically different life, offering their bodies to God and giving control to Him, and to resist being conformed to the world and its systems. But the key in not being conformed to the corrupt ways of the world was to renew our minds..because the truth is that our thoughts directly affect the way we live. 

There are different type of toxic thoughts that we encounter:

- NEGATIVE thoughts

These are feelings of resentment, bitterness, ill-feelings that are usually accompanied with hurtful words and hopeless thoughts. It's like nothing in the world can ever go right for you.

- FEARFUL thoughts

Thoughts that are filled with worry and anxiety, where your head just runs off with fear. Like when you're worried for your exams or fearful of letting someone go

- DISCONTENTED thoughts

Insecure thoughts.You think you have less than others, you're not as good-looking as they are, you're not as awesome as them. 

- CRITICAL thoughts

Thoughts that are usually directed at others. Back-biting and gossiping originate from this type of thought. We think of others as lesser beings who don't know better. 

With all of these toxic thoughts, it's about time that we detoxify our mind! How do we do this?

“We 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.”

2 Corinthians 5:10

To demolish - to pull down, demolish the subtle reasoning (of opponents) likened to a fortress, i.e. to refute, to destroy.

In order to refute toxic thoughts, we use God's word. It's similar to the process of Chemotherapy. God's word acts as the radiation that kills the toxic inside our thoughts. We have to reinforce thoughts of God and His Word in our heads every now and then to kill these toxic mind matters. 

We can't let the toxicity in our minds to win. We have to overcome them with the help of God and His Word. In order to do so, here's two steps we can use to fight out the toxic thoughts:

. FILL

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

Thinking about good stuff is way better than thinking of things such as cockroaches and rats. Okay, maybe you don't think about them but we can compare them to the filthy, toxic thoughts. Let's imagine you get busted by this girl you really like. Thoughts start circulating your head: you're ugly, you're a loser, she's a cold-hearted girl, etc. All the hurt will come crashing down and you will blame God for everything.

Bad thoughts.

Instead of torturing yourself, it's best to think of what God has to say and the things He has in store. Think of the good. Don't dwell on the bad thoughts cause they won't help you at all. Just stop thinking about them.

. GUARD

We have to guard our minds from toxic thoughts and lies!

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Proverbs 4:23

Don't let the emotions rule you out. We always have to keep watch of our hearts and what the emotions it sends to our heads can do. Feelings can be overwhelming and can overrule our thoughts if we're not careful. We have to be mindful of what we let ourselves feel.

Guard!

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Ephesians 6:11-17

We have to protect ourselves from the lies this world feeds our minds. In order to do so, the armor of God is a helpful shield from all the bad feels and negative thoughts we have. Keep God's Word close at hand so that you can deflect the bad thoughts attacking you :)

Don't lose this battle!

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Written by Ashley Petallano (c) 2013