Spring — here we come, and what a blessing you always bring. Think about the opportunity springtime brings as all parts of life seem to wake up with renewed energy.
What if we all took advantage of this current change of seasons to freshen up the areas and spaces we inhabit?
Do you have closets, garages or even drawers that could be cleaned out and reorganized?
A manageable, physical space like a drawer is a great place to start to build momentum. From there, select a closet or small room and keep going.
What needs attention?
Many times, the harder parts to work on are spiritual and emotional in nature but take some time this week to think through and pray about those particular areas.
What does God bring to mind as you pray for Him to bring specific areas to mind?
Where do you find clutter and unnecessary debris crowding out the positive and life-giving parts of your day?
Releasing our fears clears up a lot of space.
Letting go of negativity, past disappointments and regrets definitely opens up an entire new world.
Current frustrations can eat up a lot of our time and energy if allowed to do so.
Frustrations come when we are unable to achieve what’s in front of us. We may have a plan we are trying to implement, but we can’t for some reason. It may be an uncooperative person, or it might be a system we can’t quite navigate yet.
It’s super easy to allow frustrations to grow into uncontrollable monsters that dictate our attitude, our ability to think strategically and possibly even our confidence.
Most of us will find ourselves frustrated from time to time. Instead of going it alone, what if we reached out to someone to help us think through it and work on an action plan?
How do you move forward?
Sure, we likely need to vent during times of frustration. Go for it — venting can be spring cleaning for the soul. Clear out the chaos by saying out loud those feelings and frustrations that are taking up unproductive space in your heart and mind.
Do be careful not to get stuck in the venting stage, however. Voicing what’s inside provides the opportunity to work through it all and process a plan for determining next steps.
A trusted friend (or trained counselor when needed) is helpful for processing. And when you are that trusted friend for someone needing to vent, remember to listen first without judgment or attempting to “correct” how the person feels.
From there, help your friend outline solutions and next steps if the situation is manageable. If it is more extreme, then help your friend find appropriately trained experts to assist with their next steps.
Another way we can freshen up life is by removing obstacles that are preventing us from fulfilling the calling God has put on our lives.
Living in the center of God’s will always brings tremendous peace, comfort and clarity, even if the calling has its difficult moments.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jennifer Davis Rash, president and editor-in-chief of TAB Media Group. This editorial will appear in the March 13 edition of The Baptist Paper. Click here to subscribe.
