HOW HOARDING HURTS

Letting go of things can be one of the hardest obstacles in life for some.

Too many of us hold on to things we shouldn’t; from last year’s coupons to people.  When a group of hoarders were asked WHY they hold on to their colossal clutter, the common response was “they needed it or may need it”. But, studies have shown the reasons are far deeper. “Hoarder’s” behavior is a psychological response to something they have lost; a person, a dream, control of an area of their life.

The fact is it is hard to let go of anything you have held on to for a significant amount of time.

Clutter can become comfortable. So can EMOTIONAL clutter.

There was a time when I had become a collector of emotional baggage and toxic thinking.

I had years of bad memories and deep hurts that I kept hidden in myself. I had resolved that if I kept all of these memories of my past hurts, then I would remember NOT to allow new ones. These memories were my souvenirs of so many negative things. I kept them so I would not forget them. But, this action did not protect me. These bad memories, in fact, only allowed me more hurt. They were heavy and got in the way of my freedom to feel the GOOD things. There was no room for new experiences, no room for joy.

Finally, I had to address the enormous collection of mess inside of myself. It began to get in the way of my life. I was punishing others for sins they never committed against me. I was growing bitter.  I remained angry and eventually I became a victim of myself. 

These negative behaviors were so familiar to me that I could not imagine life without them. Letting go was the scariest thing I could do. What if I forgot my past and made the same mistakes again? How could I let go of the pain caused by others? If I forgot, then I would be vulnerable to them again!

I couldn’t let go because I had not FORGIVEN. I wasn’t hurting or punishing anyone but, myself.

There is a saying, “I will FORGIVE but, I will never FORGET”.

What a misconception! Forgiving IS forgetting. If you don’t forget, you have not SINCERELY forgiven. Forgiveness and forgetting is LETTING GO. The process of active remembering is where all of the pain lives. It grows old not just WITH you but TO you. It becomes a part of yourself. Letting go is a necessary progress. We can’t keep everything- forever. Choose wisely what it is that you hold close to you. Leave room for the GOOD stuff.

Missy © 2016

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Down with GOLIATH

DOWN with GOLIATH

Everyone has a “Goliath” in their life. 

Whether it is your boss, your disease, people at your church and… sometimes it isn’t even a person. Goliath’s exist in many forms. Regardless of that BIG thing- that fills you with fear, you have more power than you know. 

 What is meant to defeat you can just as easily advance you.

Without GOLIATH, David was just a Shepard keeper. 

Instead of defeating David, GOLIATH advanced him to a new level; a king! 

By faith and follow-through David accomplished the impossible. He didn’t have resources or training, he had one slingshot and a pebble. 

But, what he possessed was POWERFUL- FAITH beyond understanding. 

 When Goliath went down by David’s slingshot, so did David’s current assignment in life. 

 He was elevated beyond his, and everyone else’s, expectations. More goes down with your GOLIATH than you realize! Your inadequacies, your doubts, your weaknesses and everything keeping you from your higher assignment. What seemed to be the most dangerous circumstance became the catalyst to promote David to greatness. 

We are no different that David. 

However, I am not suggesting you take a slingshot to that negative neighbor! 

 Sometimes our slingshots are not weapons of war but, kind words to the one that speaks adversely about you. Or instead of surrender just one step of faith into your battle. 

Maybe your slingshot begins in your thoughts; imagining what you are unrestrained to accomplish after your Goliath is gone.

You are GREATER THAN > your largest BATTLE, Your biggest fears, Your current condition.

Your victory is easier than it appears next to the giant obstacle that faces you.

 Look beyond your GOLIATH. Your crown is waiting…

© 2016 Missy  

IF YOU ARE SEEKING ANSWERS IN PAIN...HERE IS MY EXPERIENCE.

For those seeking answers in pain: Here is my experience.

 In a short period of time I have seen many losses, trials and tragedies- all of a very large magnitude. Human nature wants to blame God, to ask why and to question his presence in general. 
One sentenced was revealed to me: GOD is not our enemy.

He is our ALLY.
Our battles can quickly devastate our faith OR it will accelerate it.
The enemy, Satan, wanted to destroy my faith, my mind, and steal my joy.
Where the enemy thought he was about to see a triumph in my unravel, he was surely disappointed when the Lord poured his grace on my head and anointed my steps so that I would follow him into a place of divine, supernatural peace and even JOY in the middle of the darkest hour. Hell had no victory. 
My recent 6 month commitment to my faith had brought me to a place of total surrender to the Lord as I know him- Jesus Christ the son, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Even walking through the valley, I feel an under current of promise; a rumbling under my present circumstances. 
A wave just under the surface that is waiting for the moment to raise a high tide of purpose, restoration and increase.
The Holy Spirit had been preparing me for the losses as well as the gains with great fortitude. He allows my faith to see his promises even as my flesh does not- authorizing trials to serve as my spiritual boot camp. So I could recognize my enemy by drawing closer to my God. Preparing me for each battle with HIS armor. The enemy wants me. He wants you. (John 10:10) But, my GOD has a plan for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Where the devil called sorrow- Jesus called Joy. Where the devil called defeat my God called VICTORY. He has equipped me. 
I am not special. I am not powerful. I am weak, sinful, and human. Only through an almighty supernatural relationship with my personal savior have I found rescue. 
He is able. He is willing. He is ready. What he did for Elijah, what he did for Jonah, what he did THEN he does NOW. He never changes. 
He is available. He waits on willingness to give him our burden. To give him our struggle, our sorrows and even our doubts. In our broken places is where he shows his power. Even before we FEEL it. On earth we will inevitably face troubles. Some more than others. Regardless of the storm, Our shelter is in God. I can boldly say HE IS REAL and his mighty power has astounded me. 

All I asked for was his presence.

All I gave him was my burden.