Clinging to the old…

Everyone has that one article of clothing in their closet or in their drawer that just never leaves. Every once in a while, you look at it, remember the times you wore it, but think of how it has been so long and you should just get rid of it. Then, you think that maybe, just maybe you will wear it again so you skip past it and leave it there. Sometime later, you are cleaning out and you come to that same item still hanging or folded in the same spot. You grab it and go to put it in the discard pile, but you stop to take a look. Again, thoughts of when you wore it before flood your mind and you contemplate whether or not you will wear it again. Hesitantly, you put it back and know that one day you will probably wear it again. Years pass, you continue to leave that one item there, knowing in your heart what your mind will not accept. The item lingers there and takes up space that could otherwise give room for other things or just free up space to be less cluttered. But you just cannot let it go.

This item in our closet is very much like people, situations, and things in our lives. We cling to them. We keep considering that one day it might be different. Things may change one day, but in our hearts we already know the truth. We just cannot get our heart and our mind in sync. The burden of holding onto it causes anger, frustration, sadness, and so many other emotions and mental instability. Yes, that one thing can cause that much damage in your life.

For a moment, I want you to consider the one item in your closet you have been able to give away. Doesn’t it always feel liberating? That one little item usually leads to another and another. Before you know it, you have cleansed your closet or dresser of unneeded or unwanted items that have done nothing but junked up your home for years. You feel like a totally different person and find joy in the new freedom and clean space you have.

Imagine if we could do this in our hearts and minds. Those things you are hanging on to…the inability to forgive…broken relationships…past failures…insecurities…long lost friendships…the job you thought you needed…the dream house you were sure was right for you…the perfect life you never had…acceptance…and so many more things, people, ideas, and situations that we could ponder for days. What if we let it go? What if we got rid of it? Sure there were some beautiful things about it, moments when it was right, but after all of this time and the strain it causes on your heart, is it really worth holding on to? Or would releasing it set you free?

My prayer for you today is that you will go through your closet today and cleanse. Are there things you need to take off of the hangers and place in the “to-go” pile? If the answer is yes, then I pray that you have the ability and strength to face them and to let go. I pray that you will no longer let the things of this life clutter your heart and mind, but that you will lay it all at the feet of Jesus and let Him break the chains that have so long held you captive. My prayer is that you will release the hurt, the doubt, the what-if’s, the past and allow God to flood the cluttered spaces with the joy. Free up your heart today and get rid of what is weighing it down. God never intended for you to carry that burden. You know you’ll be better off when it is gone. Let it go.

May your cup runneth over.