Deep Cleaning

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Over the past week, I have spent countless hours doing some deep cleaning in my 10-year old granddaughter’s room here at our house. I won’t show pictures—but I could!

Sophie does a lot of drawing and creating. There are arts and crafts items everywhere! She’s amazingly talented in that area, but it sure can leave a mess. Somehow as much as she picks up after herself, there’s always more “stuff” to wade through.

Among the items I sifted through were broken pieces of toys, prized Play-Doh art pieces, long since dried and turning colors I didn’t recognize, doll bodies with no heads, and vice versa. Oh, and so many drawings and papers since Pre-K! (I have a problem getting rid of those!) Among her possessions were things unrecognizable! I knew they had to be weeded out because they would be of no use to Sophie. Ever!

I had to sort through Sophie’s “treasures” while she wasn’t at my house, because much of the time she isn’t too keen on relinquishing a possession. Well, let’s be real—all of the time! She’s become so familiar with her “things” that she prefers hanging on to them even though some are in no way beneficial to her anymore.

While I was on the floor working on this project, I began thinking how we humans often tend to hold on to the clutter that accumulates in our own lives—the kind that lives deep in our hearts. This particular clutter often comes in the form of anger, hurt, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, disappointment, shame, guilt, fear, or anything else that robs us of our joy.

Inner clutter can become such a part of us, that for whatever the reason, we can’t let it go. We may even be aware that keeping it around will only continue to bring us pain, sorrow, or unsettling memories. No purpose is served and no benefit is derived by holding on—but hold on to it we often do!

The Good News is that all of us can experience freedom if we’ll only let go and allow God to help us make the choice of surrendering this unnecessary clutter to Him. Throughout His Word, God has promised that if we cast our burden(s) on the LORD, He will sustain us, free us from anxiety, and give us gladness and joy.

If you are holding on to anything in your life that hinders you from experiencing a more joyful heart, I pray that you will make the decision to rid yourself of this type of clutter.

I hope you will pray daily, as I do, that God will “create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 What a relief it will be to face each new day with a totally different perspective on life and faith.

By the way, Sophie loved her clean room. Thus far, she hasn’t missed a thing that has disappeared! If she ever does, I might be in trouble!