I dislike clutter! I love to clean out! That being said, I also am very sentimental about things. If it belonged to one of my grandmothers I cannot bare to get rid of it. I also like to have things for my girls for their future homes. I have a lot of furniture for them. Mike and I would love to downsize some day but I want to "save" these things for my girls. I have several sets of china patterns for them to choose from. One day I asked them which china they wanted because I was ready to get rid of some clutter! They did not want any of the fine china! Before I got married I sat at Belks and registered my china knowing that it would be handed down! So I got rid of my everyday and got out one of their grandmother's fine china and decided to use it every day. Who cares if it breaks? I will enjoy it!
Maybe you have a closet so full you forget certain items in there. Maybe you have not worn half of the clothes in your closet. I do not do well around clutter and I cannot imagine people on "Hoarders." This is a television show of people who hoard. They hold on to so much stuff that they cannot function in their home. They cannot get around. Often times no one else can come in the house because there is one place to sit, sleep and a path. These people have a hard time giving stuff up....including junk mail, empty cans and bottles, etc. I do not understand but I know it is real. It can be frustrating for the family. I find myself judging those people.
What if God were looking at my life on a flat screen? Maybe our closets resemble our lives....full of clutter. Would He see the things I hold on to? Would He think I buy things I do not need? Would He see that we obsess on how to pay for the stuff we collect? Are we slaves to our possessions? Would He say we are holding on to things that need to be let go? Would he say we are struggling with our priorities? Are you holding on to resentment, bitterness, guilt, envy, or hurt? This excess baggage keeps us from being all that we could be for God.
Psalm 55: 22, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Often times we give something to God through prayer and then take it back. When we give it to Him it feels wonderful because we are free of that burden hanging over us. Philippians 4: 6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." When we do this we are filled with peace that only God can give. Verse 7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
When we take the burden back we find ourselves burdened again. We feel a heavy weight on our shoulders. When this happens, remember you gave it to God and He promised to take care of it. Not only did He promise to take care of it but He promised to give us His peace! That peace will flood our minds so we can put our trust in Him!
Are you holding on to things you need to get rid of? Today is a good day to free our heart from clutter!
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