Have you ever struggled with feelings of discontent? Have you ever looked at your home, car, job, or life in general and desired something more? You would even settle for just something different? If we’re honest, we probably could all testify to feeling discontent and overwhelmed at some point in our lives.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” — John 14:27
As believers, we have Christ and His peace available to us; however, many seem to have homes and lives void of peace.
When you are tempted to desire something more, look around and pray for the Lord to point out those troubled areas in your life that need to be uncluttered. Maybe it’s not that something more is needed, but rather the emptying of what you already have.
“A time to search and a time to give up, time to keep and a time to throw away.” – Ecclesiastes 3:6
Clutter is the enemy of clarity. When our lives are cluttered, whether it’s physical, intellectual, emotional, or otherwise, that clutter edges out our ability to see the blessings and gifts right in front of us. Cluttered lives do not allow the space we so desperately need for more important things. It steals our time and our peace.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19-20
Look around your home. How much of your “stuff” do you actually need? How much do you actually use? Maybe there is someone who could use your home décor – donate or sell it. What about your closet? How long has it been since you have worn certain clothes, belts, shoes, etc.? Why not donate to a local shelter or have a garage sale? Even just taking the time to simplify the walls of your home can help alleviate the clutter. Sometimes just a rearranging of furniture or a new coat of paint on the walls or cabinets can help you appreciate what you have.
“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15
What about your vehicle? Would strangers be tempted to think you live in your car? Take some time and clean out the trash, vacuum the interior, and wipe down the dash and console area. If you don’t have time, take your car for a wash and detail and pay for someone to clean it for you. Just having a clean environment for your commute and errands will help relieve the stress that clutter brings. Seeing your vehicle polished up will also help you appreciate it more.
It’s not just your home and vehicle that can be decluttered. What about your finances? Many people today struggle under the heavy load of debt they carry month to month. Does your wallet need plastic surgery? Cancel those credit cards you don’t use and close them out. Cut up the cards that prove to be a temptation. Keep one card and pay the balance each month. If you’re not able to pay the balance each month, ask yourself if your purchases were impulse buys or actual necessities.
“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,” – Hebrews 13:5
Our culture today does not encourage self-control or discipline in the area of money. Instead of toning down our spending, we are encouraged to satisfy our desires and purchase what we want immediately. Think about all the retail stores and mail catalogs that offer “no interest purchases.” They encourage you to go above and beyond your means to get what you want. Instead of instantly reacting to those impulses, sit back and wait – do not act. Because eventually, you may find those impulse feelings have suddenly disappeared. Instead of purchasing from those mail catalogs the day they arrive, throw them away. Even if you want to hang on to them for a while, you may find that by the time next month’s catalog arrives, you have suddenly lost interest in that item you thought you so desperately needed.
“All things are permitted for me, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” – 1 Corinthians 6:12
Sometimes our Amazon account needs to come with a newsflash: just because you have Amazon Prime doesn’t mean they have to own you and your bank account. Maybe it’s a store that emails you every week with a coupon or special savings alert. Take courage and block the emails, move them to spam, or just delete them so the temptation is not there to rack up expenses on your credit card or deplete your checking account. Maybe it’s your cable and internet bill that could be downsized. Do you pay for extra channels each month? Are you even home long enough to watch them and get your money’s worth? Why not cancel those channels or opt for a free service?
What about your calendar? Weekly schedules can easily become cluttered and before we know it, we find ourselves stressed over the abundance of obligations. Are there obligations each week that you can let go? Are there memberships and groups that you need to pause for a “season”? Maybe there are extracurricular activities that need to be limited. Do you have “appointments” on your calendar that are taking time away from your family and church? It’s difficult to hold space for yourself or the people you love if your life is cluttered.
“Someone may say, “I’m allowed to do anything,” but not everything is helpful. I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth.” – 1 Corinthians 10:23
In the day of technology, one area that often goes unchecked and maintained is our email. Have you ever looked at a person’s phone and saw three digits over their inbox? Literally hundreds of emails waiting for them. Maybe that’s your inbox? Make a goal to process a dozen each day until you conquer that account. Unsubscribe, block, spam, delete, whatever you need to do to simplify your email account. If you have more than one account, consider closing those you don’t use.
Sometimes just the task of uncluttering your life can be overwhelming. Find encouragement. Reach out and ask a friend or family member to come and help you tackle one room or area at a time until you get it done. Pray for discernment in getting rid of possessions and debt. Seek an accountability partner to help you stay on task with eliminating the clutter in your life. Also, practice having an attitude of gratitude. The root of discontent is ungratefulness. When we don’t appreciate what we have, we don’t take care of it. We treat it poorly and neglect it. Then we quickly entertain thoughts of replacing and upgrading. When really, maybe all that is needed is a little extra love and attention.