Lost It. . .

The Boss said, “get those boxes out from under the pool table and clean up that mess.” What she meant was that I should go through the boxes I had in my previous office, which I brought home and put under the table. I had put them there so they would be quickly available when I moved into my new office. Now, six or seven years later, she is in a hurry.

Well, I made it clear that I wasn’t going to it that day (I had to cry a little), but soon I would be on task and “get ‘er done.” After today, I wish I had moved them somewhere where she was not. I have about 300 books, 1000 CD’s (give or take a thousand or two) and enough office supplies to start an Office Depot. Then there is the “misc.” category that includes every pre-school colored picture that I was gifted over about 50 years, 150+ pen & pencil sets, plaques, trophies, 80 million pictures, and enough “cards” (you know – birthday, anniversary, “Happy Monday”, You’re the Greatest, etc. etc. etc) to paper the Pentagon. And, of course, I want to keep all of them. I have found lots of things that have zero value but I kept them because they are. . .well, mine.  So the 20 boxes under the table – and almost under, and around the table, and on the table itself, are becoming 30 boxes of stuff I am going to need. . .soon.

I recognize that for most of us (God’s folks) the is kind of a summary of our life. We have been adding stuff and hanging on to stuff, along with the reality that others put stuff in our life that is hurtful and harmful and damages us immensely. Often people become slaves to hurt, unstable from the imbalance between good and evil, and caught in the traps of the Enemy whose goal is to seek and destroy. Relationships are damaged by the very actions we take to be a friend, or a helper to someone in need. The Enemy is not above building us up so that he can tear us down. Living under that kind of stress (internal boxes of useless pieces of the past and present) can depress and defeat even the hardiest of those among us.

Solution? Yes! Make sure your relationship with Christ is one of saving faith, living in His grace, with your focus on Heavenly things. Then clear your mind of everything that does not fit with Godliness. Here is a Scripture passage to get you started:

“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, – if there is any moral excellence, and if there is any praise  – dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Where you dwell will determine how you live! Live right “and the peace of God will be with you.”  (vs. 9b)