Time to DeClutter and Be Set Free

We’ve been doing a lot of cleaning and clearing out of stuff. The most recent cleaning out was in what we refer to as the “toy room”. It’s one of our bedrooms, but it holds the toy box from my childhood brimming full of toys collected over the years. We had been putting other boxes in there during the holidays and it was chock full of things we didn’t need or don’t use daily. So he cleared it out. He left only the things that were essential to us. Everything else was either thrown out or boxed away in a storage room.

It’s easy to be a pack rat. All you have to do is put something in a corner. Then you put something on top of that thing and then before you know it there’s a whole pile of stuff and you don’t even remember what’s on the bottom anymore. Not useful, but piled up just the same. We can become so focused on the useless that we get bogged down in dealing with it all.

What is it your life is cluttered up with? What do you keep walking through, tripping over and finding again and again?  Lots of things tend to bog us down and mess up our lives.  We all recognize them. Unrealistic expectations. Unforgiveness. Bitterness. Sorrow. Past regrets. Future fears. Unbelief. Half truths. Unmet hopes. Broken dreams. Broken hearts. Broken promises.

God’s Word gives us great instructions on cleaning out the clutter in our lives. He will help us keep the stuff we really need and identify the things that must go, so that we can be more productive and we can move about freely going wherever he sends us. With the clutter gone we can enjoy what is important. With the way clear we can see God’s plan and go with it.

Oh beloved, are you bogged down this morning? Are you trying to reshuffle the mess of life? Are you hiding the things in the corner of your mind that you don’t know how to get rid of? Are you still enjoying replaying old records and rehearsing old grudges? You may have believed the lie that you had to hang onto this stuff in case someone tried to hurt you again. You may have built a huge pile of remembrances of things that are threatening to fall on you like a boulder from the top of the mountain. Let it go. Box up the sorrow and shame and throw it out. Pack up your mistakes and give them the boot. Forgive everyone and watch as that stuff just floats to the curb, never to return inside your heart.  Memories? Some of them will probably have to go as well. Good memories can even bog us down if we live in them instead of living in today. But bad memories can totally obstruct our travel into what God’s best is for us.

Whatever does not agree with God’s Word has got to go. It may look good but it will tarnish and become a real nuisance in the long run. Remember, you want to be free to go where He sends you, love those He allows to cross your path and live in the light of His glory and grace. Real freedom doesn’t come with stuff, it comes with the lightening of the load, the cleaning out of the heart and the refreshment of new starts.

God loves you and He’s for you. That’s why you can trust Him to assist you to dispose of those things that are hindering your view of His Truth.  A life free of entanglements is your best way to live as you trust Him and allow Him to make all things new for you.

Hebrews 3:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God's messenger and High Priest.

Philippians 4:8  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Colossians 3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. ( Amplified)

Don't Take That Problem to Bed With You

Kids love to take their toys to bed with them. Between special pillows, action figures and trucks, cars and dolls, the bed is full. We even see it in the movies. The scene from A Christmas Story where Randy hugs his new blimp replica while Ralphie sleeps with his beloved bb gun reminds us that kids find comfort in their toys.

I used to take a teddy bear to bed with me when I was a little girl. “Teddles” is still in my cedar chest, though he is worn through and almost furless. There are even old photos of Teddles and me saying our prayers and having tea parties.

We grown-ups don’t take our stuffed animals to bed with us anymore. No, we’re far too sophisticated for that. Instead we take our problems, our resentments, our decisions, our worries, our day’s events to bed with us. We lay there and roll it all over in our minds. We replay them, we regret them, we try to rethink decisions and figure out how to get out of the problems. We cuddle our anger, our resentment, our fear and more as though it were a close trusted toy.

You can take that problem to bed with you, nurse it, cuddle it, look it over, remember it but that problem will never comfort you or bless you.

Or you can give that problem to the Lord. It’s hard to give up something you’ve cherished, like that resentment or that unforgiveness. You’ve held it a long time but it hasn’t brought any liberation. Replay after replay and still no relief. The fear you experience during the day never lessens in the dark of night.

When we give our problems, our worries, our fears, our emotions to the Lord, He will take them. Not only does He take them, He replaces them! Instead of fear, He hands us faith. Instead of emotions, He hands us Truth, instead of problems He hands us praise. Instead of unforgiveness He hands us a cross. He has a replacement for everything we’ve been holding tightly to our hearts. He will not just replace them either. He will give us rest for our weary hearts, peace for our worrying minds and contentment for our spirits.

Oh beloved, you don’t have to wait till bedtime to give your precious held troubles worries and resentments to the Lord. He is standing at the door of your heart right now asking you to give it to Him. Give it all to Him. He will take care of the problems that you have encountered and He will repair the feelings and emotions you’ve nurtured. He is speaking to your heart right now. He knows that nothing you’ve held onto so tightly has helped you in any way. But He knows that He can help you in every way. You can’t change a thing about the past, the mistakes, the missteps or the misguidance from others. But you can change your attitude as you hand each one off to Him.

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why He delights in replacing everything that’s hurtful for all things that are helpful in His Word, through His Spirit and because of His Resurrection and life. Praise Him for His wonderful new and better gifts!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.