Do you like to de-clutter?! I spent all day on Monday de-cluttering our kitchen and garage, two spaces that tend to be depots for homeless items. I physically experience joy and peace walking into a room after removing unneeded furniture, piled up and forgotten family “items” (I call it junk), or things that just need to live elsewhere. I feel like I can just, exhale. This is probably why I love the day we throw out the Christmas tree and box up the decorations, but that is another story!

Living in a space with more room to breathe and room to move around takes away the stress I wasn’t even aware of, that was building up in my body, and I get the same feeling when I spend time in prayer. Prayer de-clutters my heart. When I have let things pile up and overwhelm me, taking them to Jesus puts things in their place. I re-prioritize by life when I sit at the feet of Jesus in conversation, He reminds me of what truly holds value and what is just fools gold. He gives me the peace that surpasses understanding and the abundant life He promised. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Philippian believers…

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:4-7)

When I take the time to truly pray, to offer up praise, to confess sins, to ask for my daily bread, to speak up on behalf of the needs of others, I take my time, I create margin of empty space and room to breathe, soaking up the moment to just be. How much more peace might we know as a gift from our heavenly Father if this was a daily experience!

Join me in de-cluttering my heart today.

Your Friend in Jesus,
Matt Ward