Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. Proverbs 17:1 (NIV)
Going through possessions can certainly be a "freeing" experience as you get rid of things that you have no need for, but it can also be a stressful time as you try and reason as to why you should or shouldn't keep them. Pictures, yearbooks, the first outfit you brought your baby home in, the ticket from the first concert with your spouse... they have some meaning to you, and with them, reasons why you've kept them. Then there are other things you may have been keeping for the time that you move, remodel, or "just in case" you need it "some day". In fact, you may have kept so much that now you don't know where to begin to get rid of things... you may not even want to... but
something has to go because there's too much. You're drowning because you've kept too many things and as the "collections" grew, your house shrunk as a result.
Has
your house been full of strife as a result of you refusing to get rid of anything? Have the things that you've been saving for the "what ifs" and "some days" consumed your home and left you with piles and boxes of things to sort through? It's nice to have
some reminders of the past, but do you have so much that it's become a of your strife? Has it reached a point that it's no longer a blessing for you to have so much? Ask yourself why you're keeping it all. You know that the Lord will give you everything you
need, but deep down are you afraid that you really don't
sourceneed everything you have? Are unwilling to part with it for fear some day you might
WANT it?
Memorize this verse and hold it close to your heart. Say it to yourself as you're going through things and determining what to keep and what to toss out in your "quest for cleanliness". Remind yourself that the Lord will give you everything you NEED, and that by throwing or giving things away you will be blessed by getting your home back. You don't necessarily need to get rid of
all of the things that you have saved, but as you go through them, think of Proverbs 17:1 in another way... "Better to have less and be at peace, than to save for a rainy day and be overwhelmed with disorganized clutter!"
Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I have saved too many things over time, and as a result, I have so much clutter. I have put meaning behind "things" and have been having a hard time letting go. I also have kept things thinking I may need them some day. Lord, I pray that You would release me from these feelings that prevent me from getting my home in order. Guide me so I know what to keep and what to let go of. Help me to not put so much emotional value on things that I become overwhelmed in what I have. Help me to trust You to give me what I need so that I can get rid of things that I haven't used, looked at, taken out, or "needed" in years. I pray that You would also give me peace as I get rid of things, knowing that I will have a better chance of being organized if I have less. Thank You for blessing me and always giving me what I need.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
© 2004 Amy Verlennich
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