Seasons of Clutter: a time to keep, a time to throw away

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:6
A time to gain, And a time to lose;
A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

Getting rid of the excess in my home was one of the most freeing acts of my life. Through this season, God spoke directly to my heart: “I am enough.” 

Suddenly, I didn’t feel the need to hold on to all of the “someday” items around my home. 

Matthew 6:28-30
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 
29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 
30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

My “stuff” was a reflection of my heart. It was chaos as long as I tried to hold everything together on my own. It was weighing me down, driving me crazy, and causing no end of frustration. I did not even realize how much I relied on my “stuff” to help me. I kept things “just in case” that made very little sense for my current season of life. 

In my season of clutter, God exposed my lack of trust in Him. That season became a “season to throw away.” 

Even those things that seemed useful were hindering me from being the best mom, wife, and child of God that I could be. Through my decluttering journey, God constantly reminded me that He was enough, He would provide. It was my job to be there for my husband and kids while He did the hard work of holding us together. 

Often we are guilty of trying to hold it all together when all God asks of us is to let it go. He is doing the work. All we have to do is make space in our hearts and lives for Him to do it. Sometimes that means getting rid of physical or mental loads that keep us anxious.

1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Application

• Do you have clutter in your home? What about your heart?
  • Pray:

Lord, examine my heart and reveal anything that might be hindering me from trusting You fully. Help me to let go of anything that might be in the way of Your work in my life and in those around me. 

• Are there things in your life that you should let go and simply trust that God will provide? List 3 things you can let go today.