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We live in a fairly small farmhouse (pictured above) that was built in 1900 and we have lived here since we married 23 years ago.    Most adults have moved several times which usually prompts purging excess items, but not us.

Instead of purging like we should, we have packed and stored things away.   Out of sight = out of mind.  Right?   I wish “out of sight” meant it would just go away!

I can’t help it, I HATE CLUTTER!

About a month ago, I decided to purge a little deeper than my annual trips to Goodwill.   If it was something I hadn’t touched and hadn’t missed — it was thrown away or donated.

Ah, it felt so good to just get rid of unneeded items!   Clutter causes disorder and reduces effectiveness.   Not to mention it just makes the house look dirty.

Excess items aren’t the only types of clutter than can create disorder and ineffectiveness.   What about thoughts that clutter our minds?  I think they can be more trouble than the actual clutter in our homes!

I need to de-clutter that area of my life too.   I don’t know what has been going on with me lately, but I have had some serious angry/judgmental thoughts.  I have recognized that they are tainted thoughts that must be captured.   These thoughts are all aimed at one person who hasn’t done anything in particular to deserve them.

Why are these coming out of nowhere?   Just as I can easily hang onto old objects I no longer use … I can also hang onto bad thoughts.   We all can.

Clutter!

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

These thoughts really weren’t warranted.  They were just mind-clutter.  Nothing good could have come from entertaining those angry thoughts or any thoughts that we know don’t bring life.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Any thoughts that aren’t in Philippians 4:8 really need to go!

Have you ever noticed when you are in the process of being pruned and cleaned up spiritually that you catch yourself doing deep cleaning throughout your home?   For some reason, it has often gone hand in hand for me.

Can you think of some clutter that needs to be eliminated?

I am linking with Bonnie for her Faith Jam.  Her prompt today is to discuss:  Clutter.   Please visit her by clicking on her button below: