SLP049 - Clearing the Clutter, and Getting Your House In Order

It is amazing how we go about our lives and never realize the accumulation of STUFF. Files, papers, receipts, extras of everything, a garage full of sports equipment, camping gear that is never used, boxes, etc. What about BOOKS, magazines, or even the E-mail inbox? The truth is, there is something about the human condition where we want to collect and keep YET, there is a time to throw away, clean out,  and get rid of things. In addition to ‘stuff’, we also find the intangible areas in chaos and disarray. Finances, our health, our relationships, our schedule, and so many other areas tend to get bogged down, and in extreme cases, out of order. Today, we are talking about ‘Clearing Out the Clutter and Getting Your House In Order’. 

Biblical Principle:

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything
3 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—
2 A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

5 Key Reasons to Clean Out The Clutter and Get House In Order

1. Decrease stress

• 84% of stressed out Americans said they worried about their homes being disorganized, not clean, and out of order
• 42% experienced more anxiety when their homes or lives were in disarray or cluttered
• Worry (whether conscious or unconscious) causes stress … stress causes sickness

2. Clear Your Mind, Find More energy

• Perceived chaos or unresolved disorder has been proven to restrict your ability to focus
• The clutter literally limits your brains ability to process information
• You gain more energy as a result of clearing your mind

3. Breathe Easier … Improve Your Health

• Physical ‘STUFF’ collects dust
• The Journal of Environmental Science and Technology showed that dust from clutter can contain arsenic, decomposing bugs, pollen, human skin, fecal matter from dust mites, and even DDT

4. Improve Relationships

• How many times has STUFF and clutter caused an argument in your home?
• Has the frustration of not being able to ‘find’ something or ‘tripping over’ something ever caused you to be angry and it ruined an evening?

5. Make Room for New Blessings

• Two objects cannot occupy the same space
• Literally and figuratively
• Also, God is not likely to release something new and fresh in your life as long as you insist on holding on to the OLD STUFF

5 Steps That Will Help You Clear the Clutter in your Life, and begin the process of bringing things into order:

1. Identify – The big rocks or projects that need to be done
2. Prioritize – Take one at a time
3. Decide – What do I keep, what do I archive, and what do I throw away or discard
4. Execute – Do the work, follow through with your plan
5. Celebrate – Enjoy the state of being ready to receive whatever God has for you in a new season of life

Resources Mentioned:

EVERNOTE

SCANSNAP (Evernote) SCANNER