Thanksgiving is fast approaching here in the USA. In many areas of our country and worldwide, restrictions are being placed on us for social distancing in preventing the virus spread. In some state’s citizens are being told how many to have within their home. This is NOT a post about the virus nor politics, but I encourage you to NOT walk in fear! I’m sure we all have our own opinion on the purpose behind this action, yet I do not believe sharing that at this time is purposeful.
No, I wanta talk with you about purging and being thankful.
Similar words to purging include removal, abolition, eradication, taking away, eliminating, removing, dismissing, ridding, etc. There comes a time in everyone’s life where purging is a necessity. Whether it be material possessions or relationships, a better job or location to live. We all will face those times.
When I think of purging, I envision going through my stuff to determine what I need to keep, how best to store what I’m keeping and what I need to get rid of, whether or not that means trash or donating.
Why do you think it’s important to purge?
For me……
- I can’t stand visual clutter
I’ve been in working environments where there is much stuff sitting about. Clutter. Even in my own office, if I’m not careful, I’ll soon have stacks of papers here and junk piled over there and books over there and folders on the desk. Soon, I realize my outer space is reflecting my inner self and vice versa. If I want peace within and without, I must stay vigilant in maintaining my peace! I have to guard that carefully!
Proverbs 4:23 ‘So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.’ (All scriptures used from The Passion Translation)
Thank goodness I’m learning that when I keep both the inner and outer free of unwanted clutter, I walk in much more peace. However, I’ve not fully realized or learned that yet, so I have to repeat the process. Nevertheless, I am making progress!
Right now, the world doesn’t feel very peaceful. Then again, since I’m a Jesus follower, I’m not of this world; I’m just a passin’ through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me to Heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore! You can sing the same song if you’re a Jesus follower!
What a wonderful feeling to have Poppa God’s sweet peace that passes all understanding. The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away!
In John 16:33, we read, ‘And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in Me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in Me. For in this unbelieving world, you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!’
How cool is that!!!
We do not have to live in fear, but we can rest assured in God’s sweet peace that He is still on the throne!
We can also read in Philippians 4:7, ‘Then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.’
Peace, His lasting, never-ending peace, is way better than living in fear!
2. Sometimes I need that release
For whatever reason, I can become a hoarder quickly. I think it may have to do with the fact I grew up very poor although I didn’t realize that. I don’t know that kids learn such things unless they are told repeatedly; they are poor. I had a very abusive childhood, but God kept me safe and allowed me to become the woman I am today.
I still have a mindset of, ‘oh, we may need that,’ so I end up saving all this or that I can get. All piled here and there.
I wonder if my purging is my way of exercising my will power instead of someone else doing so for me. If I purge when I get the urge to do so, it takes away that fear factor. I decide to let go and release, instead of being fearful I’ll be forced to do so.
John 14: 1 tells us, ‘Don’t worry or surrender to your fear. For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in Me (Jesus) also.’
So, I wonder if my deep-seated need for hoarding is rooted in fear, fear of never having enough. Hummmm…good question!
I’m learning to go through my things several times throughout the year. When I do, I’ve learned to ask myself if I need it, if it fits, if I’ll use it again, and I also allow myself to feel any emotional connection. Sometimes those areas need to be addressed as well. If there are negative emotions or energy, if it brings up bad memories, I may need to get rid of that item. Also, if I come across that same item a year later and haven’t used it, provided it’s not seasonal, then I probably need to get rid of it.
I’ve learned when I permit myself to feel the truth, then letting go isn’t all that bad! And honestly, it’s hard to receive something new and fresh if my hands are tightly clenched around something outdated and old and rotting!
For me, it’s a matter of changing directions, changing my pattern.
We all have patterns we follow that were programmed in our brain during our early childhood days. I firmly believe we all need to examine those patterns to discover those which might no longer be beneficial. Then we change them to where they become healthier. That’s growth!
I found it interesting, and even surprised me that the Bible talks about patterns. Here’s an example in Hebrews 8:5. ‘The priests on earth serve in a temple that is but a copy modeled after the heavenly sanctuary; a shadow of the reality. For when Moses began to construct the tabernacle, God warned him and said, “You must precisely follow the pattern I revealed to you on Mt. Sinai.”
3. Purging lightens the load
In Matthew 11:28 we read, ‘Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to Me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.’
Wow…doesn’t that sound delightful??
Now I don’t know about you, but for some reason, I tend to carry all my burdens, yours and a few others, until I end up bent over from the weight of it all. Honestly, that’s not what God intended. His burden is light if we allow Him to carry the heavy end. However, many times for various reasons, we seem to believe (a lie of the devil) that if we push hard, if we beat our body, if we mentally abuse ourselves, if we hurt and struggle, then it’ll be worth it all in the end. That’s a lie, for it’s not written anywhere in His word we’re to do so. Quite the opposite, actually.
Man, I gotta get this truth, His truth, way down deep on the inside of my being!!
Psalms 55:22 tells us, ‘So here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feel of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you.’
Wow how very cool is that??
I wanta learn to do better. No, not in actions or works but in my efforts to let it go and let God! In this day in which we live, we have many things, people, issues all trying to grab our attention.
How do we stop this week and examine what we have that we can truly be thankful for?
How bout we stop long enough to look around us, I mean really look around us, and realize that wow…we do have __________ and ____________ oh, yeah, and ______________ that we can be thankful for!
I’m thankful for:
- My ongoing growing relationship with Jesus Christ
- My amazing beloved Marine husband who is my soul mate
- My home in the country
- My son and bonus children and grandchildren
May we never become too busy or to burden down with stuff that we forget to be thankful.
So, what are you thankful for today?
Drop me a line and share a few things.
Have a wonderfully happy day!
I’d love to hear from you!
Pamela Richards-Woodall 