Weighty Luggage

When our lifetime of baggage becomes heavy clutter, it’s time to take inventory of what to keep, what to give away, and what to discard.

What to keep:

• All things that fill us and feed us with Jesus and God’s love and His Word the Bible.
• Love, hope, integrity and honesty, laughter, happy memories, compassion, self-respect, a good attitude, joy, patience, self-control, forgiveness, kindness, generosity, gratitude, good friends. All these are like a self-hug.
• All things that help us to grow and mature.
• People who lift us when life keeps us pinned down, and those who help us see our faults with a measure of love that guides us into healthy thinking.
• A walk on the beach, the lakeshore or just in your neighborhood.

What to give away:

• Lots of hugs, warmth, encouragement.
• Note: Love, joy, laughter, hope, respect, forgiveness, gratitude, generosity, compassion, and patience are extra special because by giving them away does not in any way diminish what we can keep at all, in fact, by giving these we gain much because we gain what we cannot ever lose.
• Advice when it’s asked for.
• A listening ear, a helping hand, a kind word, a cup of tea with a friend.
• A walk around the block with a neighbor, a meal or two for someone who’s encountered hard times.

What to discard:

• Hate, malice, shame, regret, criticism, anxiety, lies, deceit, injustice, discouragement, depression, resentment, false guilt, hopelessness, prejudice, false love and false pleasures, and all things that rob us of joy.
• The voices of old destructive tapes replaying in our minds, hurtful words and past painful memories..
• Negative feedback that tells us we can’t because we believe our best is not good enough. Thoughts and words that tell us we are just not adequate enough simply because we are of a different generation or color, or because we are not tall enough, or short enough, or thin enough, or thick enough, or pretty enough, or smart enough, or educated enough, or rich enough, or humble enough, or desirable enough; fill in the blank with your own not-enough.

Give these discards to Jesus, He is so much better at taking burdens than we could ever be.

Live simply and de-clutter your life!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall” Psalm 55:22

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”1st Peter 5:7

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1st John 1:9

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippian 4:8

By ~ Elizabeth Yalian 2013-2015 ©http://hiseyeisonthissparrow.com. ♛