Upchuck – Getting rid of the toxins
Recently, on my trip to the Philippines, I had a nauseous experience. I ate some fish that didn’t sit well in my stomach. I knew almost immediately that I had to leave the table – fast. Up a flight of stairs into the living room and unlock the bedroom door so I could make it to the washroom in time. It was pretty dicey but I made it. Yuck. I hate throwing up. I had to lie down and rest. I had to take it easy for a day or so. Ate soda crackers to keep my stomach settled. But emptying the contents of my stomach brought relief.
Maybe this has happened to you too. Let’s take it a step further. What about all the toxins in your heart; anger, hatred, jealousy, judgment? Those toxins churn inside of you making you spiritually and physically sick. We need to run to the Lord and upchuck it all into His bowl of forgiveness. It’s pretty messy but when you empty it all out to our loving Savior, it’s flushed away never to be remembered by the Lord. There is relief.
Ephesians 4: 30-32 tells us, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
When we put away those toxic thoughts, words and deeds, the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to be kind and forgiving to those who hurt us. You can then rest in the assurance that the Lord has forgiven you and gives you His peace that passes all understanding.
Jill Munoz, Vice President Christian Growth Committee
Serving in His Strength” is a blog
published by the Member Development Committee of
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada, Inc.
Lutheranwomen.ca
2026