Mental & Emotional Declutter *Because I care about you*

While I realize this subject runs far deeper than what this article can convey, I want to take a moment to recognize that you're here. I'm always inspired by people who despite incredible challenges, choose to forgive, and choose to move forward; despite temptations, choose holiness. That is the essence of mental and emotional decluttering. The fact that you're here means something...it means you're willing to pursue righteousness and "live spiritually healthy" so that you can help and benefit those around you. It's huge. And I'm incredibly proud of you.

This is not a simple task and often these kinds of declutters are never entirely "complete." Even when we've made a conscious decision to work through something, our thoughts, emotions, or memories can come rushing back when we least expect them (unlike the physical objects we purge)...only to be faced with the option once again - do we ruminate or dispel all that comes to mind?

Do we forgive again or kindle a spark of bitterness? Do we embrace the lustful thoughts or crush them with Truth and remember who we are in Christ? Like I said, this topic runs far deeper than one article can address.

Friends, there's so much LIFE that is wasted when we choose to revisit or bask in what we once let go of, or are actively working on letting go of. Some things that can come to mind are not only people/situations that we've forgiven or walked away from, but old sin patterns. When we give these even a little foothold, they can return with all their baggage and wreak havoc on our relationship with others and worst of all, grieve Holy Spirit.

Do you know what it means to grieve Holy Spirit? And why it's so critical Christ followers don't do it? When we grieve Him, we throw water on the fire of our relationship and His ability to move through us. When we choose sin, we allow distance between us and the One who saved us. It doesn't mean we lose our salvation, it means that we suffer the loss of intimacy in our relationship with Him, furthermore, the blessings and purpose He has for us.

Truth is: Mental and emotional clutter are a hotbed for sin and destructive habits. Holding on to this clutter hinders us by rendering us less effective or worse - ineffective in ministry.

Two other things that cause mental/emotional clutter to pile up are:

Social media / TV (even short lengths of time)

Negative self-talk (often a result of spending time watching or looking at other's lives)

TIME TO PURGE & REPAIR

In 2 Chronicles 34:8 - Josiah purged the land and the temple, to repair the House of the Lord. Remember, our bodies are now the temple in the new covenant. This is why we grieve Holy Spirit when we allow things to stay or come in that are destructive...we are now His dwelling place. Wow.

SO - how do we declutter mentally and emotionally? How do we purge and repair?

We forgive - those who have hurt us and ourselves.

Sure, you can hold on to your hurt, but it will hurt you to hold on.

God so desires to set you free and make you well (mentally and physically). Unwillingness to forgive will damage your health and make you a miserable person to be around. It's a fact. More importantly than this, if you want forgiveness for your own failures, you must forgive according to His Word.

Matthew 6: 14-15

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

If you struggle to forgive yourself (or carry shame), than this is for you: a loving reminder that Jesus died for your failures/sins and carrying unforgiveness for yourself won't bring good fruit in your life. The gospel frees us from the bondage of sin and propels us forward with purpose despite our mistakes. Remember Paul? Need I say more? Is it good to make retribution if you've done some awful things to someone? Yes, if possible. But one should do it out of the intent that they are glorifying their Savior who made a way for them to be forgiven, not because doing so earns their forgiveness.

Conviction is different - it comes when Holy Spirit is correcting us for sin and we know we need to repent (turn away from the sin). It's a good thing as it sanctifies us and helps us grow in His likeness. Unfortunately some of us have been taught that staying in a place of shame for our wrongdoings was holy. Thus making it much harder for some of us to forgive ourselves. So we go through life with our heads hung low - never able to do enough to fix or correct the mistakes we've made. That's totally contrary to the gospel.

Reminder: shame brings condemnation, conviction brings sanctification. Know the difference and forgive yourself. Don't allow the enemy to keep you from prospering in God's purpose for you.

We make hard choices - consistently. Until they aren't hard any more. - James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Submitting to God has to be first on this one (that means obeying His Word)...resist the temptation...and then it will get easier and easier to do the right thing. This works if you actually do it and will set you free! Submitting to God is an entire sermon - or ten - so please move through this intentionally and realistically. Remember He says, in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

We pursue a purified thought life - what we look at, read, listen to, etc., will either bring about what is good and righteous or the opposite. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Have you ever allowed your thoughts to wander because it helped you ignore the pain of the situation you were in? Yeah, we've all been there. Oftentimes our greatest temptations are there because we feel we need a numbing agent...so we choose something. It can be anything from obsessing over the next trip we want to take, watching nonsense videos on TikTok or YouTube, reading immoral books, watching something that is immoral and destructive, thinking of someone you shouldn't be thinking of - the list goes on...

What's so amazing about this pursuit, is that when you actually do what Philippians 4:8 says, the mental and emotional purging will happen naturally. God is faithful to do what He promises! His Word is alive and active!

We read the Word & pray without ceasing - store the Word up in our hearts and minds. Meditate on it day and night and trust Him at His Word. You know, I've had seasons in life where I've asked the Lord to allow me to pray in my sleep - I've hungered for breakthrough for others and myself. There's nothing stopping you from asking Him to take every moment of your life and bring fruitfulness. In fact, He wants you to do that. I've also had seasons where I didn't open the Word. God didn't abandon me during those times, but I chose a much longer/harder route (ex. Israelites wandered 40 years instead of the 11 days it could have been to enter the Promised Land). Ouch. We do these stupid things to ourselves. ;) Insert here a picture of a redneck saying, "hold my beer!" Or rather a picture of me saying (in my best redneck voice), "I got this!" Hahahah! Ahem...actually NO - "I don't got this." I need the Lord to have it, I need Him at the helm. Seriously, don't go through life without the Word and prayer at the center of your relationship with Jesus. It will be a wreck without Him.

FACT: I've never gotten out of a hard season without His Word AND prayer being prioritized in my daily living.

We journal - This is not just for women. I'm not sure why so many attribute journaling to women, but it's been proven that it benefits everyone who does it. It helps us grow and keep going. It reminds us of answered and unanswered prayers, and we can see how we mature over time by reading old entries. It doesn't have to be longwinded...just build the daily or weekly habit little by little and you'll be changed for the better. I like to write to the Lord, after all, it's not a letter to myself, but rather a sorting out of things with my Father.

We embrace accountability - I know some of you reading left the church a long time ago, or maybe a short while ago. You've decided you're better off doing it alone because of all the phony people at church. I hear you - loud and clear. And I understand you firsthand. I really do. I have seen some of the worst behaved people in churches and some in positions of authority. Here's the truth, you cannot place people on pedestals or expect them to be perfect like God. They just cannot do it. Imperfect and sometimes evil individuals can be found in the church pews or pulpits. That's never going to change. But your role may be critical in those places. Think of it, the very thing that you were or are upset over may be thing you were called to bring to light and help change. It takes a willing vessel for this work to be completed - and we all have a part to play. If you aren't connected with the Body somehow, not only will we suffer your absence, but you will suffer. We love and need you! And you need God's people.

Let's move forward in Christ with all sincerity and stop making excuses for our bad behavior. Purge what is immoral, forgive what you can't forget (Lysa TerKeurst gets cred for that - get the book!), and don't waste your mind on nonsense or as Paul says "rubbish." There's much to do as Christ's return draws ever more near. Not saying you can't laugh and truly enjoy LIVING - He wants that for us. But more than that, His purpose is to make us effective ministers of Truth; to prosper in righteousness. And that comes at a cost. He said to "count the cost"...

It's time we clear the mental and emotional clutter...as well as the physical so we can move forward - together in Him.

My Prayer for You

Heavenly Father, thank you for clarity and hope. Thank You for loving us where we are, yet not allowing us to stay in a place of destitution. Help us recognize the call on our lives and our individual value to the Whole. Encourage us as we learn to let go of all that prevents us from walking in true freedom and purpose. Allow us to see things from Your perspective and open our hearts to healing through mental and emotional decluttering. In Jesus' name, amen.

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