
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine recently discovered something fascinating. They found that when we sleep, our brains actually flush out toxins. While we're resting, brain cells go to work, pumping fluid in and out, removing waste and debris. Isn’t that amazing? God designed your body to cleanse itself while you sleep.
Now, just like your brain needs that deep rest to flush out physical toxins, your soul needs deep spiritual rest to flush out emotional and spiritual toxins—fear, guilt, shame, bitterness, worry. And the way we find that rest is by getting into God's presence, soaking in His promises, and meditating on His Word.
The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 5:26, that Christ sanctifies and cleanses the Church “by the washing of water through the word.” That means there’s power in God’s Word to clean us up on the inside. His Word is like that gentle stream flowing through your soul. It washes your thoughts. It restores you soul. It detoxes your heart from the lies of the enemy.
Some of us are spiritually tired not because we're doing too much, but because we're resting too little in God. We’re carrying burdens we were never meant to carry. We’re letting resentment build up. We’re holding onto offenses. And we wonder why we feel heavy, why peace is so hard to find.
Friends, just like you lay your body down at night and trust that healing will happen while you sleep, lay your heart down in God’s hands and let Him go to work. Turn off the noise of the world. Turn on the prayer. Sing a Psalm, read a Gospel. Let His Word wash over you.
When you let God cleanse your thoughts, everything shifts. You begin to see that even in the impossible, God is working behind the scenes for something greater than you imagined. You’re not consumed by worry because you trust the One who holds tomorrow. You’re not crippled by fear because perfect love casts out fear—and God’s love is perfect.
So, every day, choose to rest in prayer, reflect on God’s Word, and be still in His presence. Allow God to remove those spiritual toxins. Let Him cleanse your spirit and transform your mind. As you do, He’ll fill you with fresh peace, renewed strength, and unstoppable joy.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee"
Especially powerful to read this and be reminded in the middle of Lent. Thank you.