Dealing With Clutter

We are often reluctant to admit problems and deal with painful events as they occur.  We push them down into the deep recesses of our souls and put our best face on.  This is like shoving clutter into a closet and tightly closing the door before guests arrive. 

This works for a while but at some point we have to open the closet door and when we do that with overstuffed closet, everything inside falls out around our feet. 

At some point, the events we have suppressed inside us will also burst out and cause us to vent anger and bitterness or other negative behaviours on those around us who may have had nothing at all to do with the original events.  The Bible describes things this way:

The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?  Proverbs 18:14

We clean up the clutter in our homes by taking things from where they have been stashed away and stacked up and dealing with them in an orderly manner.  Some things get thrown out.  Others get mended, washed, or ironed and become usable again. We need to do the same with the hidden events of our lives.

It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent. The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.  Proverbs 18:5, 10

We will never feel acceptable to God or to others while we allow who we truly are to be determined by our past.  Unforgiveness towards others, or even towards ourselves, needs to be carefully exposed and then disposed of.  The pain and brokenness we feel in our hearts will need to be lovingly cared for and mended. 

Our hidden talents will need some encouragement, so they become usable again.  God is a master restorer and as we improve our conscious contact with Him He will provide all that we need to make us complete in Him.

Loving Heavenly , Father, we don’t want to live cluttered lives but so often find ourselves doing just that.  Help us to face and let go of any hurtful events we have buried deep in our souls.  Keep us from meaningless distractions that so often fill part of our days.   Give us courage to look for and make responsible use of the gifts and talents You have entrusted to each of us.  Our desire is to have a fulfilling life with You and others.  Amen

We all know that often the most difficult part of dealing with clutter is just getting started. So, some folks either decide to just do “something about clutter” for just a few minutes or to just focus on one area that needs decluttering.  It’s not a bad way to approach cleaning the clutter from our soul today as well.