multitude of commitments that
cram-pack your schedule? What
about the thoughts that jumble
your mind and the spending habits
that sabotage your finances? All
of these things are clutter too
because they cause chaos and
confusion.
When you think of clutter in this
new light, you begin to see what a
tremendous problem clutter truly
is. You will also see that the root
causes of this ugly clutter make
the clutter itself look tame. Think
about it. Why do you say yes to
everyone who requests your time
and services? Are you afraid that
people won’t like you if you say
no? Do you feel the need to present
a Super Mom image to the world?
What about those clothes you
hold onto even though you know
you will never wear them again?
Are you afraid that if you get rid
of them you will need them again
someday? If you did happen to
need them, do you doubt God’s
ability to provide more? And if you
have a tendency to spend more
than you can afford, ask yourself
why you do that. Are you driven
by feelings of discontentment or
the need for instant gratification?
Are you afraid that if you pass on
a sale now you will never find a
good price on that item again?
These issues go much deeper
than just having a messy desk or
disorganized pantry. These are
issues of the heart.
Clutter is a problem for anyone,
but for Christians, it spells major
trouble. Clutter does more
than affect us physically and
emotionally; it affects us spiritually
because it keeps us from following
Jesus fully. We simply cannot make
room for Him when so many other
things are in the way. The more we
stay focused on the junk of this life,
the less time and energy we have
to focus on the important matters;
God and His plans for our lives.
Have you ever tried to lug an
overstuffed suitcase through a
crowded airport? Not an easy
task, is it? No matter how hard
you try, you simply cannot move
quickly and efficiently when you’re
carrying a heavy load. Think
of clutter as baggage; physical,
emotional, and financial baggage
that weighs you down and holds
you back. Clutter is the heavy
load that keeps many of us from
maneuvering effectively through
our lives. Our suitcases are filled
with all kinds of deadweight:
habits we need to give up, attitudes
we’ve long since outgrown,
activities and possessions that no
longer serve a reasonable purpose.
If we want to lighten the load, we
have to get rid of some of the junk.
What keeps you from moving
forward at a steady pace in your
life? Undoubtedly the things that
slow you down are some kind of
clutter; clutter you want to get rid
of for good. Maybe you struggle
with physical clutter around
your home. Try as you might, you
cannot seem to get organized. Or
maybe you want to get a handle
on your finances. You are tired of
making good money but having
nothing to show for it. Or maybe
yours is an issue with time. You
are tired of living at warp speed.
You want to stop running and start
living.
Whatever clutter challenges you
face, trust me when I say you
7
can learn to clarify your life by
putting clutter in its place. I know
because I have done it myself.
My biggest clutter challenge was
not dealing with cluttered living
spaces or even cluttered finances.
My challenge was to open up my
emotional suitcase and go through
its contents carefully. When I did,
I discovered all kinds of clutter
lurking inside. I found worry
and doubt. I uncovered a faulty
self-image and an inability to set
appropriate boundaries. I even
found an unhealthy preoccupation
with what others thought of
me. It was a painful process, but
necessary. One by one, I learned to
trade in these old clunkers for the
more efficient models God offered.
I’m not saying I have it all together.
Believe me; I don’t. I’m not saying
I never face challenges. But I have
come to a place of clarity and
life is much more pleasant now
that I have. Is my life perfect? No,
but it is much more peaceful and
purposeful. And isn’t that what we
all want? To live in peace as we live
out our purpose?
Nancy Twigg is an author and
speaker who loves inspiring women
to live more simply. To learn more
about Nancy’s speaking and writing
ministry, visit her online at
www.keepitsimplesister.com
DOZ Magazine | October 2019