Let me tell you what the Lord recently showed me. I have felt that many moms right now are under a spirit of heaviness (Isa. 61). I have experienced that many times, even as late as last week! Anyway, I received an illustration from Him through a very practical demonstration.
Have any of you heard of Emilie Barnes, the Christian organization expert? Well, she talks about organizing your home by starting with a room or closet and having 4 bags/boxes: one for throwing away, one for putting away, one for giving away and one for filing away. Many of us have heard of that method. Anyway, I saw that recently demonstrated and the Lord showed me that is what we're to do with our cluttered HEARTS!
1. THROW AWAY. We need to throw away some things that are in our hearts right now. These include sin (lying, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, all malice, which grieve the Holy Spirit - Eph. 4), weights (Heb. 12:1-2), "trips" that others have put on us or we've put on ourselves, false notions, guilt over our unnecessary ought-to's and should-do's, etc. Get rid of them now.
2. PUT AWAY. We need to put some things in our hearts in the right place and in the right perspective. Have you ever found an ittty-bitty piece of a toy in the house and asked the kids what it went to? There are many things (big and little) that He's put into our lives that we need to ask the Lord what to do with. Also, for you "chuck-ers", like me, be careful not to throw away the things He's meant for you to keep. They may be critical for something else in your life.
3. GIVE AWAY. There are burdens and cares in our hearts that we are not meant to carry and we're to give to the LORD. There are also some things that we're not meant to carry anymore and that others are to carry now (or maybe should have carried from the start). We need to give those things away now.
4. FILE AWAY. You keep things in files for reference and to remember. We're to file away the Word in our hearts that we might not sin against God (Psa. 119:11). Don't let your files in that regard be lean. Think about this: the Word is the ONLY thing that won't pass away - it needs to be in our hearts. If you're not a great memorizer - ask God to HELP you - He'll answer that one! We're also to file away "memorial stones" in our lives - testimonies of how God's been faithfulness to us and to His people (a LONG list, whether we know it or not!).
Lastly, we're to receive from Jesus the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isa.61:3). Praise him as you throw, put, give and file away the things in your heart.
Much thanks to Anne for graciously allowing me to post this!
Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved, Ron Wahlquist. All the articles on this website are the sole property of the writers, so we ask you not to use them without asking their permission.
