When Good Intentions Go Awry
Over the weekend, Jason and I embarked on what we thought would be a simple organizing project. Our grand plan involved rearranging furniture and purchasing a new large bookcase to house many of our abundant ministry materials, currently relegated to the attic. Oh, how naive we were!
Day one started with enthusiasm, but by nightfall, I found myself utterly exhausted. My body, ever the temperamental sort, decided to remind me of its limitations. The next day was spent in recovery mode, my joints protesting every movement as if I'd run a marathon instead of simply shifting a few items about.
To add insult to injury, the ordered bookcase failed to arrive on schedule. As I write this, our house resembles a labyrinth of totes and stacks of materials. Every room has become a temporary storage unit, and navigating from one space to another feels like participating in an obstacle course.
I hope the bookcase will arrive soon, allowing us to restore order before I completely lose my marbles. But as I sit here, surrounded by the chaos of our good intentions, which has led to a disorganized living space, I can't help but draw a parallel to our spiritual lives.
This physical clutter serves as a tangible reminder of what can happen when we allow emotional and spiritual issues to accumulate unchecked. Just as these piles of materials have overtaken our living space, unresolved hurts, grudges, and problems can quickly overwhelm our hearts and minds, creating what I call “spiritual clutter”—a state of emotional and spiritual disarray that hinders our growth and peace.
The Bible speaks to this in Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV): "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." This passage encourages us to deal with our anger promptly, not allowing it to fester overnight. Why? Because unresolved issues provide a foothold for the enemy in our lives.
Consider also Proverbs 17:14 (KJV): "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with." This verse likens the start of an argument to a small leak in a dam. If not addressed immediately, it can quickly become an uncontrollable flood.
In our spiritual lives, it's crucial to address issues as they arise rather than allowing them to accumulate. When we let hurts pile up, it becomes increasingly difficult to forgive and let go. Our hearts become cluttered, much like our house is now, making it challenging to navigate our relationships and walk with God.
So, how can we prevent this spiritual clutter from accumulating? Here are a few practical steps:
Practice daily self-examination: Take time each day to reflect on your thoughts and actions, asking God to reveal any areas that need addressing.
Seek reconciliation promptly: When conflicts arise, don't let them fester. Approach the situation with humility and a desire for resolution.
Regularly "declutter" your heart: Just as we periodically clean our homes, we should routinely examine our hearts for any lingering resentments or unresolved issues.
Cultivate a forgiving spirit: Remember, forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice. Choose to forgive quickly, even when it's difficult.
Seek God's help: Recognize that some issues may be too big for us to handle alone. Turn to God in prayer, seeking His wisdom and strength.
So, while I wait (somewhat impatiently) for our new bookcase to arrive and restore order to our physical space, I'm using this time to examine my own heart. Are there any issues I've allowed to pile up? Any forgiveness I've been withholding? Any grudges I've been nurturing?
It's my prayer that we all learn to address our spiritual clutter promptly, keeping our hearts open and unencumbered. After all, a tidy heart is far more important than a tidy house (though I must admit, right now, I'd be quite grateful for both).