*Guest post by Sharlon Cummings
When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.” Psalm 73:21-22
Have you ever been called “toxic”? Now, that’s a word that has gained popularity in recent years. No one likes being called toxic. No one. It’s defined as poisonous, or very harmful, or unpleasant in a pervasive or insidious way. It first appeared in the 1660s as toxique in French, from Latin toxicum “poison,” and from Greek toxikon “(poison) for use on arrows.
King David wrote how he became a senseless and ignorant brute beast when experiencing the sharp pain of heartache. He understood very well toxic behavior. In our day, we throw this word around, we use it as a reason to cut each other off, and not speak anymore. But what is God’s view? He reminds us of our true identity in Christ. He says, we are His daughters, and that’s what He wants us to focus on and identify with as He works on the healing and transformation that’s taking place inside of all of us.
Truth is, hurting people hurt people, and it is also true that apart from Christ, we all are in pretty bad shape and will do pretty terrible things that harm eachother. Without Christ, we have no strength whatsoever to do right. We all need the Holy Spirit to help us heal from the inside and we need a community that loves and accepts us where we are while we heal.
Jesus took and carried away all of our sins, all of our griefs, all of our wrong and destructive behaviors. He took it all upon Himself and paid the ultimate price so we could really know God and experience His power to live in such a way that brings honor to His name. If someone still wants to call you toxic and see you that way, let that be between them and God, but you know who you are, my sister. You know who you are.
Prayer: Father, I ask that you heal the pain and hurt that has caused toxic behavior in my life. Forgive me and help me forgive anyone who has hurt me. I reject the label of being toxic. I refuse it, and I receive who you say I am. I am your daughter and I choose to love, not harm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
