Yes, Sweep around your own front door, but let’s not ignore that [CLOSET] !!

Supporting scriptures: Psalm 51 1-19, 

Psalm 134: 23-24, Matthew 23: 25-26

God is urging us to do some heart work. He wants us to be pure at heart so that we are in position to receive all of HIS promises. Sometimes, we may have every intention in the world to live pure hearted. However, the truth is, there are things that we are or aren't aware of that are holding us back from catapulting to our next. Our heart, even with the right intentions, can hinder us from getting all that God has for us and ensuring our spot in the Kingdom! This is simply because we are too "relaxed" as it pertains to the "RAW, HARD, HEART WORK that's needed!" It's about time that we stop dissimulating and just come forthright with the truth and handle it accordingly! So, that's why I'm here today, to guide us through doing "JUST THAT." Let's dive in!

“Deep Cleanse Our Heart”

     Consider the satisfaction of a freshly cleaned space—clutter gone, surfaces gleaming, and a refreshing, new scent. The sense of accomplishment and ease is palpable. Yet, while we readily tackle external tidying, what about the internal work of cleansing our souls? Many carry emotional baggage, burdened by mental clutter. Instead of confronting it, we often choose distraction and busyness. However, just as we can't tidy our homes by hiding everything in a closet, we can't stow emotional baggage in the recesses of our minds without consequences. It tends to spill out, causing conflicts, physical effects, and resentment. We need not wait until we're on the brink to address what's broken. Regularly inviting the Holy Spirit to renew our minds and cleanse our hearts is a healthy practice. It’s time to invest in our souls like we invest in our space. 

“Deep cleanse shame”

     Imagine a life free from shame—no feelings of unworthiness, inadequacy, or the need to constantly prove yourself. What bold risks could you embrace without the constraints of shame? Regrettably, our world is flawed, and shame is a familiar companion. In fact, it's one of the earliest emotions to emerge after the inception of sin. Shame is the pervasive sense that our errors define who we are. When we make mistakes, our natural response is to conceal it. Whether driven by embarrassment, shame, or pride, admitting our mistakes to God and others becomes challenging. Consequently, we endure the weight of shame, sensing isolation and brokenness. However, by following Jesus, we need not dwell in shame. The empty tomb of Jesus serves as a powerful call for shame to be lifted from you. Therefore, the remedy for silencing shame isn't found in self-help, doing good deeds, or self-affirmation. It's not in overlooking our mistakes or trying to compensate for them. The antidote to shame lies in an empty tomb. As we SHIFT our focus from our actions to the character of God and His work for us, we begin the journey to overcome shame.

“Deep clean toxic influences”

     Do you notice a surge in anxiety after extended news reading or feel your frustration rise while scrolling through social media's misinformation and heated arguments and/or listening to certain music & watching certain shows? While staying informed and enjoying online content is fine, it's essential to assess the impact of these influences. If feelings of anxiety, frustration, and cynicism outweigh joy, peace, and gentleness, it's worth addressing. This isn't a new concern—Jesus addressed it in His time, advising His disciples to avoid allowing toxic influences into their hearts. Invite the Holy Spirit to assist in cleansing anything harmful we consume, emphasizing not just removal but also replacing negative influences with positive ones.

"Whew! OK My GIRL! Let's Breath! That was a lot, I know! So let's pause and breathe! Inhale 1, 2, 3... Exhale 1, 2, 3! Good, Ok! Your ready for the next one? It's going to get a little heavy, but I'm here with you, and we are doing this together! Ready?! Ok, Let's Dive In Deeper!"

“Deep cleanse toxic relationships”

     Balancing the challenge of loving others and establishing personal boundaries can be tough. What if, instead of conflicting, setting boundaries is one of the most loving acts you can perform? Reflect on the influence your closest friends have on your future—does it align with the direction you desire? It's crucial to periodically ask yourself this significant question. Embrace the idea of limiting toxic relationships, understanding that it doesn't diminish love or preclude friendships with non-Christians. Rather, it means setting healthy boundaries, surrounding yourself with friends who encourage love, good works, and godliness. It's acceptable to restrict relationships that impede your growth. While loving enemies and going the extra mile is encouraged, there's wisdom in not casting pearls before pigs—recognizing when to conserve energy for those open to receiving love. Take time today to assess and potentially cleanse relationships, and consider prayerfully establishing loving boundaries.

“Deep Cleansing Unforgiveness”

The process of thorough cleaning, whether in our spaces or souls, can be prolonged and challenging. Addressing hidden dirt, much like emotional baggage in our lives, is painful but essential for healing. Unpacking a lifetime of emotions, especially unforgiveness, may seem empowering, but it keeps us victims rather than empowered. As followers of Jesus, our focus is on faithfulness, not fairness. Offering forgiveness, even when undeserved, involves deep cleaning our bitterness, rage, and anger, replacing them with compassion, kindness, and humility. Despite the difficulty, when we follow Jesus, His Spirit empowers us to forgive, even in the face of the most egregious offenses. Choosing forgiveness over holding onto hurt is a powerful step, aligning us with our Heavenly Father's nature. This profound work demands humility, honesty, and compassion for oneself and others. While forgiveness doesn't magically solve all problems, it redirects our focus to our guiding and supporting Father throughout the process. So, when struggling with forgiveness, ask yourself: Do you want to be right, or do you want to be healed?

OK! OK! Whew! "YOU" made it my GIRL! We finally made it to the end, TOGETHER! Because I know that was a lot to unpack, let me help you decompress.

-Below, tell me how you feel when need to clean or declutter something that is in your space and you haven't done it?

-Below, tell me how you feel when you have finally get to cleaned or decluttered that space?

-Reflect on how you can initiate that same process towards your soul!

-Announce to your accountability partner about the areas above (Heart, Shame, Toxic influence & Relationships, Unforgiveness) that you feel you may need to reevaluate and do some cleaning. Let's be accountable so that we can be HEALED AND SET FREE in those areas! This will ensure us to be in alignment with the SHIFT that is taking place in GIRLS!

-Remember to READ, RESPOND, & REPLY! I love you with the love of the Lord!