Sometimes the grind of everyday living can bring a state of exhaustion, or an emotional drain that brings a negative response out of us. It is as if we have worked up a sweat and gotten dirty from having been exposed to the day’s activity. I have heard of decompressing from the day’s activities especially when the day has brought unexpected results of frustration. It can feel like we have been in a fight and now we need a bath to wash off the grime of the day. How do we decompress? Everyone needs space to decompress. Even Jesus decompressed by going up the mountain to pray. I can only imagine what his day brought when he went about his father’s business of sharing the gospel and witnessing negative unbelieve responses everywhere he went. He had to have time with the Father in prayer to work out those negative responses.

Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Matthew 10:14

Maybe we should take a look at what Jesus told the twelve disciples in Matthew chapter ten. It is all about keeping the peace within ourselves if we are not received well from others. Look at verse 13 of chapter ten of Matthew where Jesus said to “let your peace return to you.” How do you shake off the dust of your feet? Conflict these days seem to be commonplace and it is easy to get worked up for nothing. Everybody has an opinion and sometimes others do not want to listen to what you have to say. It is time to shake off the dust of your feet. Have you ever wondered why Jesus washed the feet of the disciples? It is a form of purification from our attitude of the days conflicts. The spiritual renewing of washing the negative grime that we have picked up during the day. Jesus said to the disciples that they should wash one another’s feet [see John 13:14]. In other words, in the process of washing another’s foot, it will bring compassion and consideration for that individual. This is the Christian response in serving one another. It means to listen and respond in love. To help each other to renew our minds by the washing of water by the word.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John 15:3

The word is so important because it helps us to focus on what is good, pure, and honest. It is why some churches have midweek services because the pastor realized that his congregation needed the washing of the word for the renewal of the mind. Some churches have midweek bible studies to help with the renewal of the mind. It is also why we have devotionals written to help Christians to renew their mind so that their attitude may be transformed into the image of Christ. The renewing of the mind is to put on the new man that is created in God through Christ where righteousness and true holiness resides [see Ephesian 4:24]. Anger, malice, and lying is to be put away so that we do not allow the devil room within our hearts [see verse 27 of Ephesians 4]. Having been in the world, we are not to be conform to the world’s characteristics.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2

We are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we can prove what is good and acceptable will of God. That we may know the will of God through the word. Just as you take a shower every day to cleanse your body, you should cleanse your mind from the daily grind of living by reading the word of God for the renewal of your mind. Like Jesus going up to the mountain to pray, we should find the time to read the word to help us to decompress ourselves from the daily grind of the world. Have you ever experienced a foot bath? Everyone should have this experience and know how soothing and refreshing it is and it also helps to relieve the stresses of the day. It is a very special time when Christians can wash one another’s foot by listening and sharing the word with each other. Remember that the world may not receive you, but let your peace remain within you, shake off the dust of your feet, and renew your mind with the word of God and relax in his love that He has for you today.