Keeping The Boxes

Recently I’ve been unpacking boxes; some which haven’t been looked in for some time. I was not a little astonished at what I kept. I didn’t need the objects; some were not even wanted. Why did I keep this stuff! I further realized that having them in my sight was a bit stressful. I could feel a tugging thought in my brain telling me to deal with them later.

That’s when another, equally disturbing thought, grabbed my attention. It’s so easy for any of us to do this same thing in our spiritual worlds. Perhaps something about ourselves has come to light: a bad attitude, harboring unforgiveness, letting bitterness take root. The list could go on.

We realize one day that the above unpleasantries are being stored in the boxes of our minds. We don’t like them or want them, but it’s easier to simply ignore them. The trouble with that is they take root and grow down into our hearts. Like weeds in a garden they begin to choke out the beauty, killing the colorful flowers of our minds.

What can be done? Ruthless and truthful inventory followed by a trip to the dump! The Holy Spirit, when we invite Him, will gladly with expert precision, remove all the damaging boxes stored in our hearts and minds. He will sweep the area clean and fill the space with the very peace of God, the joy of His love, and the beauty of His forgiveness for ever having stored those dirty boxes in the first place.

“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up, and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Champion who initiates and perfects our faith…”. Hebrews 12:1-2

Happy unpacking everyone!