Opinion
Decluttering the mind to make room for God
Ruth Lilley has been de-cluttering, and has discovered new benefits as a result.
It seems that during this time of lock-down, when there have been restrictions on what we are able to do, people have been spending more time in their gardens or undertaking home improvements. I have noticed some lovely gardens around and about, there seems to be a greater number of skips in driveways and when I have passed either of my local DIY shops, there is often a queue.
I'm not really one for gardening. However, I did decide to hire a skip to de-clutter the loft and shed. It was quite interesting to see how much had gone into the loft, with the thought that I'd keep it 'just in case!' Also, to see all that I had managed to fit in the shed, most of which I didn't really need.
Now, it is so much easier to get our bikes in and out of the shed, without scraping legs on pedals or other things that got in the way. I have just put the last box back in the loft and it felt very satisfying to look at a tidy and much emptier loft!
This got me thinking about how sheds and lofts are not the only things that I can de-clutter. My mind can be full of unnecessary thoughts or distractions which can get in the way. This caused me to think about the things I keep in my mind that I do not need; the 'whys', 'what ifs' and the 'not fairs'.
I have discovered that life happens in ways that we do not wish or hope for and that I am not able to go back and change things that have happened. If I allow all that has happened to clutter my mind, I might well miss something that is happening.
I am not saying I should forget all that has been, for I believe that our past can shape our future. However, if I am able to place the fear, the hurt, the anger and the disappointment in the skip, then I provide space for truth and hope.
In choosing to de-clutter all that is not necessary, I can, instead, fill up my thoughts with the truth which my Heavenly Father speaks over me. To believe that God works ALL things together for His good and that He has always had a plan that will prosper me and bring hope. I can make more room for today and see His hand in my life in the here and now.
I know there will be times when those thoughts and feelings I have de-cluttered will find a way back in, but it is always my choice as to whether I dwell on them and allow them to take up space.
If I am filling my mind daily with the Truth which tells me that God is faithful, His love never fails and He is always near, then there is not going to be much room for those other thoughts to get in.
Image by Nathan Copley from Pixabay
Ruth Lilley has recently returned to teaching at an infant school in Norwich. She also enjoys writing, and writes a regular blog called ‘With Every Sun Comes A New Day.’
The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norwich and Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.