About a month or so ago I decided to do a 3 day detox/cleanse after becoming fed up with the
On day 1, I was starving, folks. There's no other way to put it lol. I was hungry, tired, and was annoyed at the amount of times I had to run to the bathroom. My bladder couldn't handle it;
This is the same in the spiritual life.
Over the last few months, I've found myself in the midst of a spiritual detox, except I didn't really know it nor embrace it lol. This year has been all about change for me... Ridding myself of past habits and allowing myself to be molded and conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). You see, like in the physical, I had allowed myself to be clogged up by toxic things that, though they seemed good at the time, were having long term effects hindering my spiritual health. After I finally accepted the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I decided to unknowingly start the detox process by ridding myself of them.
The only thing is that I wasn't ready for "day 1" (See paragraph 2 above). Entering a spiritual detox means you need to prepare for a fight. Similar to the physical, you will get discouraged, cranky, frustrated, and more... and instead of cravings for specific foods, you will crave your old ways.
To detox means to put aside the old for a better way. Satan is not here for that! You better believe that he will seek to discourage you from your detox any way he can, but you have to press through. He wants you addicted to your sinful ways! If your old "diet" consisted of this guy, and that guy, this club, this drink, etc., you better believe that Satan will use that against you in the start of your detox. Like seriously, during the time that I decided to get myself together, I think I found myself wanting to text every ex I still had a number for (During my physical detox, I craved pancakes, chicken teriyaki, and so much more). It's all part of the initial start. FIGHT THROUGH IT! The only way to change is to CHANGE lol. Like, it can't get be more simply stated than that lol.
Day 1 (the initial start of your change) is tough, but you know what? Day 2 comes... and Day 3 comes... Eventually, your changes have stuck and are permanent, but you can't get to the success if you never start and stick with it. God's power is far above your temptations!
1 Corinthians 10:13- There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it
If you want to grow spiritually, a detox is necessary. Detoxes can be temporary, however, I like detoxes because they jump start lifestyle changes. The removal of the toxins that comes from a detox should deter you from returning to them habitually.
Top Tips For A Spiritual Detox:
1) PRAY FOR GUIDANCE, DISCERNMENT, & SENSITIVITY TO THE TOXINS IN YOUR LIFE. You know what I'm learning more as I get older? Sin encompasses so much more than what I used to think. In my human mindset, I have a checklist of what sin is a la the 10 commandments, but the more I study the Bible, I realize I've missed the mark. I find myself praying more and more, "God, show me my sin. Keep me sensitive and convicted as to the areas that I need to get right in my life." As a result, the Holy Spirit conviction has been SO real lol. Sometimes I'm looking up like, "God? You mean that's not a good like either? Oh." The Bible says in James 1: 14-15, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bring forth death." You know what this says to me, the battle starts with temptation, and walking according to my own desires and way. Way before our actions are sin-filled, a seed has been planted in our heart, so the key really is shutting down the root before it blooms into sin.
Can I be real for another moment? Recently I've noticed that when I've grown frustrated, I low key ALMOST find myself cursing, at least in my mind, and I've also noticed a change in some of the outfits I've worn... I started trying to figure out where it came from, and the Holy Spirit reminded me of some of the TV shows I've allowed myself to watch more frequently and lo and behold, they are filled with cursing and provocatively dressed women (So even as I'm writing this, God is reminding me of some things I need to get rid of). Win the battle in your actions by winning the battle of what you expose yourself to. As corny as this sounds, (I'm getting ready to plant a garden, so excuse the gardening cliches lol) you are the gardener of your life... you choose which seeds to plant in it. Just remember that you reap what you sow.
2) PLAN AHEAD. Planning may look different for everyone, but here's what I know from my experience: Whatever is a "TOXIN" in your life is something that's been in your life perpetually, not whimsically. You've tried to rid yourself of it before, yet it's still a problem. That's a stronghold. Don't take it lightly. Identify the toxin and then set some boundaries while you're on your detox to remove it from your life. This may mean unfollowing someone on social media, blocking a phone number, deleting the number from your phone, deleting your social media account, not going to a specific place, not watching a certain show, etc. Be very conscious and purposeful when it comes to removing toxins from your life.
3) BE ACCOUNTABLE. One of the greatest things for me in the last few months has been having Christian friends that hold me accountable. Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." When I was on my physical detox, I remember texting my friend who was doing it too, and we were literally just saying things like, "HUNGRRRYYYYY" and "I'M TIRED!!", but it helped to know that someone else was there on the other end struggling alongside me lol. If we had a cheat moment, we could confess it to each other because we knew what each other was going through, but we would also encourage each other at the same time. You need this for a spiritual detox. If you don't have spiritual friends AT ALL, that's going to be the first step step. Once you do have spiritual friends, let them know you're on a detox and what you're detoxing from. The only way for them to truly hold you accountable is for you to be frank with them. Encourage them to join you. Seriously- who doesn't have something that they need to rid themselves of in their life in order to be more like Christ. Give the side eye to anyone who is unable to find something to detox from lol.
4) CELEBRATE YOUR MILESTONES AND SUCCESS. Listen, by the time day 3 came with my detox water, that was a reason to celebrate! I mean, 3 days with barely any food... drinking a 1/2 gallon of water... that was an accomplishment. I owed it to myself to at least get 3 high fives lol, This is the same with your spiritual detox. Celebrate your growth. Each day you're purposefully removing toxins from your life is another day that you're growing closer to God; that's to be recognized and celebrated.
Just know- Day 1 WILL be tough, but push through it! Greater will come! Rely on God- He will deliver you from anything that comes from you! "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:" (Romans 5:3-4)
Just Trying To Make It To "Day 3",
Isaac Caree- Clean This House
Darwin Hobbs- Free
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