Proverbs 17: 22; 29:11; 19:11
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”.
It does not take rocket science to know that toxic wastes are harmful to one’s body. Toxic substances are poisonous, and could lead to death when inhaled, infused, or ingested. The hazardous nature of various toxic substances has been properly documented by different research bodies; so that no one falls prey by ignorance. In a nutshell, all necessary efforts are being made to minimize people’s exposure to toxic substances which could be detrimental to human health.
When the term ‘toxic material’ is mentioned, our thoughts go to common substances such as mercury, acetone, ammonia, gasoline, bleach, petroleum, smoke, etc. However, there are other ‘toxic materials’ that are often omitted from the general classification of hazardous materials – probably because, by nature, these are non-tangible, and do not lend themselves to easy recognition. Examples of such ‘toxic materials’ are fear, worry, anxiety, stress, panic, anger, resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, etc. – these are what I call ‘toxic emotions’.
Medical research has raised awareness regarding the hazardous and poisonous nature of toxic emotions, and their detrimental effects on our health. Such research findings, in most cases, have shown a direct correlation between different toxic emotions and various diseases/sicknesses; which implies toxic emotions are causative in nature. The truth is that these emotions suggest a need to be present in our lives (due to hurt, pain, ill-treatment, etc.); however, that is never enough excuse to jeopardize one’s health, abilities, or even destiny!
In most cases, people are completely oblivious of the far-reaching consequences of a toxic emotion. Engrossed by the feelings of the present pain, they entertain resentment, anger, hatred, bitterness, to such an extent that their health is compromised knowingly or unknowingly. The Bible says a merry heart does good, like medicine – in other words, just the act of joyfulness, and a life void of toxic emotions is all the medication you need! It keeps one away from the doctor’s office!
Yes, life is full of negative stimuli that should necessarily trigger toxic emotions in our course of living; but folks, honestly it is not worth it! The detrimental impact of these type of emotions is not worth their entertainment at all! So let’s make a conscious effort towards healthy emotional living – not only will it save us many trips to health practitioners, it will please the heart of God.
Shalom!