Stop for a moment and take a look around your house, your desk, or in your purse. Is it neat, clean, and uncluttered? Or are things dirty and in disarray?
Time to get your house in order!
There is a saying that goes "a peaceful house equals a peaceful mind."
I think the reverse is true too - a cluttered house equals a cluttered mind.
I've proven this over and over again in my own life. If I am feeling confused or depressed, then I stop and look at my environment.
It never fails: My outer world reflects my inner world.
My desk is cluttered, papers are piled up, or washed clothes remain unfolded in a heap.
Now back in the day, I'd ignore the mess for days, sometimes even weeks.
But I've learned the quality of my life depends on maintaining peace and order in my environment.
So now, I clean up messes immediately.
The funny thing is, as I learned to stop ignoring the messes in my environment, I learned to stop ignoring myself too.
Getting your house in order not only applies to your outer world but your inner world.
Here is one of my favorite bible verses about getting your house in order:
Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.- Proverbs 24:3-4
Many people wonder what does it mean Spiritually to get your house in order. Let's break it down.
Getting your House in Order: Wisdom
Think of wisdom as the cornerstone of your house. A cornerstone is the strength of the house and holds two intersecting walls together.
In the Bible, Jesus is described as the chief cornerstone.
You derive strength from your identity in Him.
From His perspective, you are secure in Him the moment you accept Him as your Savior.
Jesus connects you to the Father.
When God looks at you, it is like a sculptor looking at an unformed block of stone. He doesn't see you as you are; He sees you as He created you to be.
The Lord had you in mind before the foundation of the world! Think about that. You were not an accident.
He has established your destiny, which is to be conformed to the image of His son Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit's work in you that is transformational:
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"
- Philippians 1:6
The Bible makes it clear: Living a life of wisdom is the key to happiness. Making wise health choices is part of that.
Getting your House in Order: Understanding
Think of understanding as the support beams and roof of your house.
Understanding comes from the revelation of the Holy Spirit as you study God's word.
The Holy Spirit instructs you day-by-day, moment by moment, as to what to let into your house and what to keep out.
This is especially true in your thought life. Do not yield any mental real estate to the enemy!
NEVER let the enemy's lies go unchallenged. I think of it this way:
Suppose you've bought a nice, new carpet. The enemy shows up at your front door with a wheelbarrow full of manure and wants to dump it on your new carpet.
Would you let him? No!
Failing to to take your thoughts captive is like allowing the enemy to take a "dump" in your mind. Unfortunately, some people allow him to do it.
Again, your outer world reflects your inner world.
That is why it is important to examine your inner voice and discern the Lord's voice from all others.
If you ignore the Holy Spirit's voice, your ears become dull and it gets harder to hear Him.
But the good news is that as you seek God with renewed energy and commitment, you will begin to hear the Holy Spirit more fully.
As you listen and follow the guidance He gives, you will walk in step with the Lord more and more each day.
Getting your House in Order: Knowledge
Think of knowledge as the furnishings that add richness, beauty and life to the home. Knowledge is the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.
As you renew your mind through prayer, praise, worship and study of God's word, you grow in knowledge and experience unspeakable joy and peace.
This is the very definition of abundant and eternal life - personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
He is the source of life.
When you leave your body behind and move to your Heavenly address, you will have even more life because you'll have more of Him!
As you embrace the Lord through choices that honor Him each day, you embrace life.
You come to know God's character not just intellectually, but through personal experience.
I hope that you will commit yourself to getting your external and your internal house in order every day.
Monitor the state of each environment and handle any messes immediately.
As you take these positive steps, expect to live in an environment of strength, peace, and joy!