We have a closet under our stairs that as hard as I try, it NEVER stays clean! The kids toss their things in that they don’t want to run upstairs, the shelves are packed with stuff I don’t know what to do with, and the deep end of the closest is housing items I simply cannot part with, along with all the stuff that actually belong in the closet!
My closet whoas reminded me of that movie Cheaper By the Dozen. Towards the end of the movie their lives were blowing up around them, Oprah was coming to film, and everyone had to make the house look perfect. The house was put back together, but when conflict started, an unsuspecting angry mom opened up the closet, and out came all of their junk right on top of her! That scene is a perfect analogy of what we do to others when our hearts are full of junk!
We can easily use our hearts like those closets. We shove them full with offenses, shelved insecurities, and deep-rooted un-forgiveness, and they take over our hearts like clutter consumes a closet! We no longer feel love, we can’t forgive, and joy is elusive. When tensions flare, the unsuspecting person is exploded upon with everything that’s been stuffed inside!
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23
Many of us are not willing to allow God a search warrant into our wounded hearts, anymore than we would allow a stranger into that closet under the stairs! However, the wounds, like a closet full of junk will ruin whatever order we once had. We become more irritable, unsettled, and edgy at everything. One offense piles upon the next. It fuels our insecurities, and seals un-forgiveness in our hearts. Eventually, we explode like that closet in the movie, and we end up cleaning up a mess we never intended on making!
It’s better to clean our hurting hearts in private, before our actions force us to clean-up our mess in public! For many, reaching out to a trusted friend seems natural when clearing a wounded heart. For some of us, it is very unnatural to have God as that friend, but He’s the only friend who can truly clear out all our insecurities, hurts, and un-forgiveness. There isn’t a friend on this earth that can give us that type of fresh start!
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
If we are more comfortable treating the Lord like a stranger, when it comes to our messy heart, it probably explains why we are still battling the same cluttered mess over and over again! We know by scripture He considers us a friend, but the question remains do we consider Him a friend?
ASK YOURSELF:
Do I trust God with my hurts? Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalms 62:8
Do I believe God will guide me through the pain? He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:3
Do I believe God wants what is best for me? He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalm 103:5
If we cannot answer yes to all of those questions, then first ask the Lord why not. Next, seek Him for the ability to say yes in all areas. Lastly, don’t be surprised if our no’s are directly connected to some of the junk that’s cluttering your heart.
If we’ve answered YES! to all three questions, friends, it’s time to get cleaning!
Thanks Beth! This is what I need to hear this morning! Time to clean-up.
Thank you Beth. Sometimes a gentle reminder is all we need.