I
cannot stand clutter. Do you have a clutter problem too? If we do not have a
place for something, we do not buy it, regardless of how interested we are in
having it. We made a place for everything we have, and we put everything back
in its place.
With
bursitis in both shoulders, caused by repeatedly reaching up high in our
cabinets to retrieve needed dishes, serving platters, glasses, mugs, baking
dishes, etc., I developed extreme shoulder pain.
My
dear husband helped my shoulders to heal by putting everything, which we often
use, down on our counter. That helped my shoulders, but not my soul; because
clutter affects our peace, our sense of order, and our health.
Outer
clutter contributes to inner clutter, which clouds our judgment and decision-making
process as it also produces stress. Many people cannot work in cluttered surroundings
either. Our cortisol - stress hormone - raises and causes physical illness.
The
chaos also effects our ability to concentrate and lessens our productivity.
Tidy and orderly environments work much better for us. Stress caused by clutter
wears us out, and we battle with physical pain and depression too.
Our
behavior is affected by the anxiety produced in us by a cluttered atmosphere. A
cluttered room affects our productivity, quality of sleep, weight gain/loss,
overall health, etc. Conversely, a straightened and orderly environment is
healthy for us.
Disentangling
from clutter is a very wise choice to make. We calm mentally, physically and
emotionally when we declutter our home, office, car, schedule, life, etc. We
are more efficient with less clutter and accomplish more with our life.
Prayer:
Father
God, You are not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). You inspire us
to do all things decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). We can hear Your
Spirit's guidance much better when the cacophony of clutter is no longer the
tyrannical author of the confusion in our life. Help us not to buy things we do
not need, or to collect unnecessary items that clutter our life.
We
want to live as good stewards of the finances that You give to us - using them
for Your Kingdom, rather than wasting them on items that will only clutter our
life; of course, purchasing time and energy saving devices, as well as products
that improve our health is always acceptable. Teach us to walk in Your ways and
to focus on Christ as our life (Colossians 3:3-4).
Thought
for the Day:
Controlling
the order in our surroundings at home, in our vocation and ministry, car, etc.
will make a positive impact on our thoughts, feelings, health, decisions and
overall peace and joy, as it gives us more energy, time and vision to further
God's Kingdom on the earth.
