Spring is my favorite season. I’m always in awe of God’s beautiful creations this time of year. The blossoming of flowers with vibrant colors is a great reminder that spring is the season of new beginnings.
Webster’s dictionary defines spring as, “to grow as a plant, a time or season of growth or development.” We as believers go through seasons just like nature does.
Spring Cleaning
This time of year most of us are doing some type of spring cleaning and improving our organizational skills.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT), “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”
Sometimes God hasn’t taken us to the next level because HE’s waiting for us to take accountability for the “clutter” in our lives.
Have you ever watched the show hoarders? The show consists of families that have been impacted by various tragedies and relatives who “cope” with their trauma by holding onto all of their possessions, junk and trash; overtaking their residence and causing a strain on all parties involved.
You might not be hoarding things in your home or car but take a moment to consider you might be holding onto painful events from your childhood, waiting for an apology or trying to wrap your head around betrayal or an unexpected death.
Society judges hoarders but most people are suffering in silence. Few want to admit it but we’re all holding onto something whether it may be physically, mentally or emotionally. I pray that you acknowledge your hurt and ask the Lord to give you the strength to remove the “mountain” of junk and garbage that’s overtaking your life.
Spiritual cleaning can be a very emotional process but letting go of our baggage: regret, bitterness, resentment, hurt and toxic relationships will make you feel light, liberated and free.
The Clearing Out Process
- Dust – “generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that comes from various sources such as dirt, wind and pollution.”
Like dust, I believe bitterness and regret will cause respiratory and cardiovascular health issues.
Some people continue to have sleepless nights because they can’t forgive themselves for their past mistakes. God has forgiven you, it’s time for you to forgive yourself! Don’t allow your unwillingness to forgive harden your heart.
Harboring resentment is toxic. The amount of dust (bitterness) and how long you’ve been exposed to it sometimes determines the amount of damage on your body. Don’t allow the weight of resentment and bitterness cause you to have high blood pressure or have a heart attack because you’re waiting for someone to apologize.
Don’t allow someone’s actions towards you block your blessings nor take away your joy. I pray that you will allow God to assist you in wiping away the dust in your life. Unfortunately, we have no control of other’s actions nor how they treat us but we do have control of how we respond. Forgive for your peace!
- Vacuuming – “sucks up the dust and dirt from floors and other surfaces such as upholstery and draperies.”
When you don’t vacuum, dust mites breed in your home, your carpet becomes worn and full of bacteria.
If we don’t vacuum up all the dirt and dust out of our lives we start to become unappealing and smell. God doesn’t focus on vanity but on our heart. You can be an attractive person but just like carpet, if you eliminate vacuuming, you start to smell “musty.” When we’re in denial about “our dirt” we risk our bodies breaking down from constant infections (envy, greed, anger) and delay our personal growth and development.
Psalm 51:10 (KJV), “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Lord, I pray that every person reading this evicts any form of hatred, bitterness and resentment they might be harboring. Lord, work on our heart. Show us how to love and forgive.
I pray that you embrace God’s spiritual cleansing. Once you embrace the process, God will reveal what is hindering your growth and blocking prosperity. Spiritual cleansing allows us to be restored, grow and blossom.
Reflections
I pray that you’re willing to allow God to shape and mold you into a healthy and whole individual who is living a life of peace, joy and prosperity.
As you walk with God through your clearing out process, below are some questions you can ask yourself:
- Is there anything I’m holding onto that needs to be released?
- What baggage do I need to let go of?
- Do I need to forgive them although they haven’t apologized?
- Do all of my relationships (romantic, platonic & relatives) serve me well?
As you reflect on your clearing out process, may you experience an awakening and spring forth into God’s purpose for your life. I speak a journey of rejuvenation over you and a deeper hunger for God.
We must always remember growth and comfort don’t mix. I pray that you allow God to show you how to be better and not bitter. De-cluttering your mind, relationships, car and home are essential for self-love and self-preservation. During this season, I pray you feel God’s invitation of hope, growth and new beginnings.
For All I Trust Him because God continues to show me how to blossom by de-cluttering various areas in my life. I embrace change and acknowledge the benefits of the “clearing out process.” I pray that God will continue to show me how to spring forward; allowing myself to develop gradually and evolve over time.