"There is a time for everything…a time to keep and a time to throw away.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1a, 6b (NIV)
A few years ago, organising guru Marie Kondo turned decluttering into a global phenomenon when she demonstrated how therapeutic it can be to let go of things that no longer spark joy in our lives. In spite of that, decluttering remains a stressful activity to many of us. We dislike having to make a myriad of decisions on what to keep, discard or pass on. Over time however, decluttering becomes a necessity in order for us to create physical and mental space in our lives.
As we approach the new year, let us make time for a stock take of our lives and declutter as needed. I have personally found it helpful to adopt the following mindset as I go about decluttering:
Thank God for the things you keep. As we journey through life, there are things, relationships and memories of experiences that we want to retain because they evoke pleasant emotions and bring a quiet smile in us as we ponder their significance. In holding on to these, we are safekeeping a past that is important to us. Pause to give thanks to God for these gifts and blessings.
Trust God for the things you let go. As for the things, relationships or memories of experiences that do not spark joy in us or evoke negative emotions, we must intentionally put them aside and move on. Choosing to let go requires us to embrace the pain and disappointments, and to trust God to bring about healing and closure in His perfect timing. According to Marie Kondo, “Have gratitude for the things you’re discarding. By giving gratitude, you’re giving closure to the relationship with that object, and by doing so, it becomes a lot easier to let go.”
There is usually a sense of joy and relief after decluttering as we create new physical and emotional space to enjoy life and new experiences with God. We feel positive as we restore order and things are in place. Healing begins when we acknowledge our past, give thanks and move on by God’s empowerment. He is sovereign over our past, present and future, and we can be confident that He works all things for our good.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
God desires to do a new thing not just in our lives, but also in us. Let us open our hearts to create space for Him in the new year.
©1972-2024 Cru Singapore. All Rights Reserved.
