Tag Archives: Healing

I want to be a Beggar… at the Feet of Jesus

2 April 2012

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We don’t deserve what He gives us, but in His goodness, He blesses us in an abundant manner.

How many times have we come across an individual standing at the corner light pleading for help? I encounter this situation at least weekly. Now, how many times do we actually extend our support? I will speak for myself and say… very little. Today, I was reminded of God’s surpassing love for me. I’ve been feeling a bit anxious regarding a big test coming up by the end of the week. God reminded me that He will give me what I need and beyond… I just need to ask. Remember the story of the Greek woman who begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter? – Mark 7:24-30 (NIV)

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. 

Wow, what great faith! What boldness and courage to come to the Lord and beg for the crumbs. I want to have that approach when I come to the Lord. I don’t deserve what He gives me, but in His goodness, He blesses me in an abundant manner… If I beg enough, maybe He will give me the choice meat and allow me to sit at the table with Him. Don’t you think it’s worth a try? I do… Let’s get rid of our pride this morning and come to the table – at His feet and humble ourselves before the Lord. He will surely reward those who are faithful in seeking Him.

Rest in His Word: Matthew 28:9

“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.” (NASB)

Heart Checkup:

  • What are you willing to do in order to inform Jesus of your petition?
  • What is holding you back from coming to His feet this morning? Let Him know… He’ll understand.
  • Thank Him for the crumbs He has allowed you to pick up… More is on the way.
The Goose and Golden Eggs

The Goose… A Lesson on Relationships

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We must take care of our goose (our marriage), if we are to receive the blessings (the golden eggs).

We must take care of our goose (our marriage), if we are to receive the blessings (the golden eggs).

Watching the movie, Puss in Boots, reminded me of Aesop’s Fable, The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs. Humpty Dumpty is searching for the Goose that laid the golden eggs. He goes to great lengths to deceive Puss into helping him steal the Goose. I smiled throughout the movie because it reminded me of the use of this fable in my counseling room with families and couples. What does the Goose have to do with relationships or marriage? Stay with me… The applications are very valuable. First, let’s review the story (my version)…

One day, a poor farmer discovered, in the nest of his pet goose, a glittering egg. At first, he thought it was a trick, but as he picked up the heavy egg, he realized he should get a second opinion – just in case…

To his surprise, it was pure gold! “I’m going to be able to pay off some debt with this,” the farmer thought to himself. The next morning, he was excited to check the goose. Again, he found yet another golden egg. The farmer gave the goose even more attention and the goose kept giving golden eggs. This went on for several days. He became very wealthy. 

One morning, something changed… The farmer was no longer excited and willing to tend to the goose. He became impatient and thought, “I don’t want to wait another day to get one golden egg.” So, the farmer went to the goose, opened it up… reached in… But to his surprise, well… there were no golden eggs – not even one! The farmer had destroyed the one thing that produced his wealth.

There are several valuable lessons we can apply to our lives. Let’s define what the farmer, the goose and the golden eggs represent in the context of relationships and marriage:

  • The Farmer – represents each of us in our relationships (husband, wife, father, mother, daughter, son, etc.).
  • The Goose – represents the actual marriage, family or relationship.
  • The Golden Eggs – represents all the blessings (the valuable things, people and experiences) brought about by the Goose (joy, home, fun, friendship, possession, security, companionship, intimacy, etc.)

Now, let’s take a look at three lessons…

LESSON 1: You Have an Important Part – Be Responsible

First, it is important to realize that without the farmer (you and I), the Goose cannot survive. But with the farmer’s devotion, the Goose (relationship/marriage) not only survives, but also thrives. As farmers, we are responsible for our actions toward the Goose and how we handle the Golden Eggs (blessings).

Some couples and families come to me for assistance because they find themselves in a desperate place. Usually, they have tried “everything” under the sun without success. One of the goals early on is to clarify to the couple/family that they hold a part of the problem. We then discuss what’s feeding the “problem” and conclude that we all play into the drama. This means we need to own up our share and stop pointing the finger. We need to be responsible for ourselves and invest in our relationships.

Sometimes, pride gets in the way of allowing healing to occur. Each person believes they are doing the greatest amount of work. They become resentful and begin isolating, which results in a hardened heart. This is when we hear couples say, “I love him/her like the father/mother of my children, but I don’t love him/her as a husband/wife or a man/woman.” – this is for another blog post.

For more on this topic, go to:

There are four behaviors that express our irresponsibility. These become stumbling blocks for genuine intimacy with the Goose. We can be irresponsible by:

1. Neglecting the Goose – Completely disregarding the needs of the Goose.

          Examples: Not spending time, discounting concerns and pleasing the self.

2. Abusing the Goose – Being disrespectful, using sarcasm as a way to undermine and using controlling tactics.

          Examples: Using sarcasm, defensiveness, using physical violence and abusive language.

3. Idolizing the Goose – Giving excessive consideration to the point of becoming consumed by the Goose and loosing our relationship with God and self.

          Examples: Placing too much importance on the marriage to the point of not engaging on daily prayer or reading of the Word.

4. Killing the Goose – Ending the relationship – in bad terms…

          Examples: Divorcing due to “loss of love” (not all divorces are bad – just want to clarify), abandoning or avoiding the relationship without resolving conflict and actually murdering the individual (it happens).

LESSON 2:  Care for the Goose – It Honors God

Part of caring for the Goose is feeding and having a place for it to sleep, but it’s not enough. The Goose needs a relationship – connection… It’s interesting that when we have something new, we give it all our attention, we show it off, we dream about it at night, we have so much expectancy….

Over time that same excitement is lost. We become bored and begin to focus on all the things we are responsible for – feeding, washing and picking up the poop of the Goose (gross!). As things get older, they tend to break down – that’s when we don’t want to take care of it. Tending the Goose takes time, energy and consistency, which is not always glamorous. To top it off, it’s so hard when we just can’t see the Golden Eggs. So what do we do? Here are six ways to care for the Goose:

  1. Participate in everyday contact – make it a point to talk to the Goose often
  2. Encourage often – praise the Goose for all the Eggs you are both enjoying
  3. Create routines and rituals – that’s when great memories happen, but make them fun!
  4. Be intentional – have an end goal and purpose in mind
  5. Be patient – allow room for errors
  6. Ask for help – you don’t know everything, request assistance when needed

If you loose the Goose, you loose the Eggs – You can’t have your Eggs and Eat the Goose too!

LESSON 3: Blessings are God Given – Enjoy Them!

Some of us are so focused on being responsible and caring for the Goose, that we forget to enjoy the Eggs the Goose produces. In life, there must always be balance. When we do things mechanically, we don’t allow ourselves to taste the flavor of the experience. God gave us the Goose so that we may enjoy the fruits and blessings it has for us – the Eggs, which give us great joy in life.

Sometimes, the smallest things in daily life make it worthwhile. Why? Because they come from God – and “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17 (NLT) What are some of those blessings? Let me share a few of mine with you:

  • Our home – although really small (it’s cozy), we have food and warm beds…
  • Friendships – so many good times with friends – laughter and tears together
  • Coffee – I know… my morning cup of Joe with the Lord is something I cherish daily… I sit in front of a large window and observe my little friends (two hummingbirds, a couple of random birds that seem to like to sit on the same spot)…
  • Memories – all the great experiences with my husband, friends, family and co-workers…
  • Past emotional injuries – yes, I believe that all the trials I have encountered have a purpose in shaping the person I am today – These can sometimes be Golden Eggs in disguise, so I welcome them!

These may seem small and a bit insignificant, but I savor these Blessings – they fill me in an inexplicably way. Now that you have learned about Aesop’s fable, think about the state of the Goose in your life… How have you been treating the Goose lately?

I would love to hear your feedback and comments…

Rest in His Word: Psalm 21:3

“For You meet him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold on his head”(NASB)

Heart Checkup:

  • What is your take on Aesop’s fable? What can you apply in your relationships/marriage?
  • How have you been treating the Goose lately?
  • Can you name three Golden Eggs in your life?
10 Reasons NOT to Pray Today

10 Reasons NOT to Pray Today

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10 Reasons NOT to Pray Today

Dont’ make any more excuses – PRAY!

As I sat on my rocking chair and looked out the window, I couldn’t help but feel God’s peace within my heart. I didn’t always use to pray daily. In fact, it took years to realize the importance of prayer. God commands us to pray. He doesn’t say it’s optional, but many of us just don’t make time to pray. So today, I implore you – Don’t Pray! 

Following is a list of reasons you should not pray. I will NOT pray today because:

PRAYER… 

  1. Lightens my heavy load… I want to carry it all – it’s mine
  2. Releases the power of God within me… I’m strong enough to do it myself
  3. Changes me and influences others around me… I’m fine the way I am
  4. Gets me closer to God… No thanks, that’s close enough
  5. Is answered and that could be scary for me… Miracles were for the old times
  6. It heals my soul and my body… I have good medical insurance
  7. Guards my heart against sin… What sin?
  8. Gives me peace… What shall I do without stress in my life?
  9. Provides me with wisdom and understanding… Isn’t that what the pastor is for?
  10. It is God’s will… I just don’t want God’s will – I want my will!

So, do you still NOT want to pray? I hope I have changed your mind.

Rest in His Word: Jeremiah 33:3

“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’

Heart Prayer:

Lord, I ask you to help me grasp the importance of prayer in my life. I have allowed the distractions of this world to come between us. I have not given you priority. Please forgive me. Give me the desire to “pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV).

Cleaning our Inner WardrobePart2

Cleaning Our Inner Wardrobe: Four Essential Areas – Part 2

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Cleaning our Inner WardrobePart2

Cleaning Our Inner Wardrobe – Two Essential Areas:
(1) Body & (2) Spirit

If you are reading this, let me congratulate you for taking the time to actually read such a post. Many individuals would rather read about other topics that are a little lighter… On our last post, we discussed the importance of cleansing the Heart and disciplining the Mind. Now, let me ask you this: Did you take the time to meditate on the first two areas of your inner wardrobe? I bet it was not an easy task. It is a very tough process, but I admire your courage! So, let’s keep working on this. Two areas remain: (3) our Body and (4) our Spirit.

THIRD ESSENTIAL AREA: Care for your BODY – “But I discipline my body and keep it under control.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)

Most of us have heard about the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise, but some tend to have difficulty following through. One of the main reasons we need to care for our bodies is that we are God’s temple! Did you get that? God resides in you… We have the great privilege to house God himself! This means that our bodies are NOT our Property – Sorry to give you the news… He is gracious enough to give us freedom to choose how we will respond to His gift of life, but ultimately, you BELONG to God!

  • 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV) – “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”

So, this means that if we mistreat our body, we are disregarding the Lord’s property. I don’t know about you, but I want to take care of what God gives me. Sadly, some people believe that caring for their bodies is selfish or of the flesh – that somehow it is not of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). I believe it’s the complete opposite – it is selfish to neglect our body.

We are not talking about extremes. There needs to be balance – “For God is not a God of disorder.” (1 Corinthians 14:33 – NLT) If neglecting our body is selfish, then indulging it is prideful. Be sensible to the needs of your body. Care for your temporary dwelling. How can we go out into the world and preach the good news if we disregard the state of our bodies? You can’t give what you don’t have. So, take care of your body, so you can have the energy to help others.

Now, some of you may be thinking, “But how can I take care of my body when I don’t love the body God gave me?” Let me tell you something…. It’s not about you! You have the body you have because God determined it was perfect for you. He made you unique. There’s nobody else like you. This is probably a topic for another post, but let me tell you that part of the lesson God wants you to learn on earth is to be content with what you have – Not what you don’t have.

  • Genesis 1: 27 (NLT) – “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Neglecting our bodies can result in chronic fatigue, exhaustion, memory loss and emotional drifts. In addition, it has an impact on our relationships with others. So, what can we do? Well, I’m not here to tell you what to eat or how much to exercise. I want to emphasize the importance of fasting. Now, not just for the physical benefits, but for the spiritual impact (please speak to your doctor before beginning any diet changes). The point of a fast is to be intentional about your time with God. It’s about cleansing your Heart (first area), as well as the inside and outside of your body. Tell God about the things that you struggle with and find difficult to let go; your relationship with food as well as ways you have abused your body.

  • Romans 12:1 (NLT) – “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice– the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Four Ways to Fast:

  • Normal – abstaining from food – Luke 4:2
  • Absolute – abstaining from food and water; normally no more than 3 days – Acts 9:9; Deut. 9:9; Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16
  • Partial – restricting diet of certain foods or a meal a day – Daniel 1:16; Daniel 10:3
  • Regular – fast days that commemorate an event or weekly fasts on a regular day – Lev. 23:27; Ps. 35:13; Is. 58:5; Jer. 36:6; Luke 18:11-12

FOURTH ESSENTIAL AREA: Synchronize your SPIRIT – “And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.”1 Corinthians 2:10-14 (NIV)

At the end or at the beginning of our days, some of us have to sync our phones to our computers for calendar updates. We need to do the same with our Spirit – sync daily with the Holy Spirit. If you don’t take the time to know what God wants for your life, you will find yourself confused when it comes to making life’s choices. You will make poor choices that may have devastating consequences if you do not take the time to sync with HIM.

  • John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

Are you getting your energy through your cup of coffee in the mornings? Or are you connecting to your energy source from above? The coffee will be in your system for a couple of hours, but God’s energy is with you ALL the time. Discerning God’s will for your life means being attuned to His voice, which cannot be done if you don’t have a relationship with him. It’s not enough to know God – you need to BE with God. This means a continuous relationship through prayer and reading of His Word.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:10-14 (NIV) – “But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.”

As we have seen, cleaning our Inner Wardrobe is not an easy task, but it is worth it! Remember, this is an ongoing process, so enjoy the ride and fully trust in the Lord! Stay tuned for the next post. Learn about the six “must have” pieces  for your new wardrobe!

Rest in His Word: Philippians 1:6

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Heart Checkup:

  • What’s holding me back from eating healthier and working out?
  • Make a plan to implement a day of fasting. Educate yourself about it first, make a plan and do it.
  • Where are you getting your energy? Where are you spending your energy?
  • How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit today?
Cleaning our Inner WardrobePart1

Cleaning Our Inner Wardrobe: Four Essential Areas – Part 1

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Cleaning Our Inner Wardrobe - Two Essential Areas:(1) Heart & (2) Mind

Cleaning Our Inner Wardrobe – Two Essential Areas:
(1) Heart & (2) Mind

How does one begin the process of clearing our inner wardrobes? I’ve separated them into four areas to help you understand the importance of each, but the work must be done in all categories in order to see the full benefits. They operate together, but you may notice that you feel stronger in some areas, while weaker in others. Daily evaluations of these four areas is crucial for our overall growth, so take a close look and make a plan of how you can proceed. Don’t be hard on yourself. Instead, be assured that this is a lifelong process in which we all strive for growth.

Due to the material, I am going to divide this post into two parts. I really want you to think about the first two and meditate what that means for you. Then, I will present the other two areas that need cleaning.

FIRST ESSENTIAL AREA: Cleanse your HEART – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV) 

Before you begin any process, you need to pray for God’s help and guidance. This means admitting that you need God’s help! You can’t do it alone. Next, acknowledge there’s an inner problem; this is crucial to the healing process. This means that you understand that change is needed and that you are willing to take the necessary steps for growth. It’s not enough to be aware that there’s a problem. You have to take it further – commit to making the necessary changes. Leave the rest to God.

  • Hebrews 10:22 – “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

Confess the state of your heart. Humble yourself before the Lord and share you inner thoughts. This means admitting the inward and outward offenses against yourself and others. Bring them to light. Bring them to the Lord. He’ll understand… Literally make a list your offenses and present them to the Lord. There’s something powerful when we take the time to put things into print, when our eyes see our rubbish and we share them with God. Granted, God already knows ALL, but it’s about being honest with yourself and the Lord – this is genuine relationship.

  • Psalm 32:3-5 – “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 
For day and night your hand was heavy on me; 
my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. 
I said, ‘I will confess 
my transgressions to the LORD.’ 
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (NIV)

Share your plans with someone you trust. This allows for some accountability and also a sense of community. Partner with someone for prayer, Bible study and wise counsel. Remember that we are the body of Christ – let other’s be there for you. You will bless someone else when they see your growth. When we share our battles with others, I believe it keeps us honest. This means, you will be challenged to examine your true intentions. Are you ready for that?

  • Philippians 2:14 – “Do all things without grumbling or disputing”
SECOND ESSENTIAL AREA: Discipline your MIND – “So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.” 1 Peter 1:13 (NLT)

What we contemplate in our minds will impact our heart attitude and results in outward behaviors. Matthew 15:18 – “But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.” (NLT)

It’s unfortunate, but the statistics from a 2010 survey found that Americans watch more television than any other leisure activity. Here’s what they found:

  • *“On an average day, individuals age 15 and over spent half of their leisure time watching TV. (Data are from the 2010 survey).”
  • * “Individuals age 75 and over spent more of their leisure time watching TV, reading, and relaxing and thinking than individuals ages 15 to 19. The younger age group spent more of its leisure time socializing, engaging in sports and exercise, playing games and using the computer for leisure. (Data are from the 2010 survey).”


As we can see, our society places more value on television, phone apps, movies, etc. than on their personal and spiritual wellbeing. That is a problem! Here is where you need to be honest and ask yourself, “Where am I spending most of my time?” Are you cultivating your relationship with God on a daily basis or is your value on watching movies or connecting with your friends on Facebook? Sorry, but I have to be honest here. We put too much effort in other things and neglect our spiritual life. Where are your thoughts? Are they in the things of God or the world?

  • Romans 12:2, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT)

Now, let’s identify the current state of your inner wardrobe. Name the pieces that are damaging your wardrobe. In other words, identify those things that are getting in the way of having a clear and focused mind on what’s important. Be specific. For example: too much television, addictions, chronic worrying, past traumas/emotional injuries, unforgiveness and insecurities.

Now, name the lies you have believed since childhood. This is a tough one for many of us. Part of us just wants to move on and never look back. That’s part of the problem. Let’s acknowledge the pain, identify what we can do about it and hold on to God’s truth for us. What are some examples of those lies? Here they are a few:

  • I don’t deserve love
  • I am a failure
  • I am worthless
  • I am different (don’t belong)
  • I am insignificant

BE TRANSFORMED by replacing the lies with God’s Truth! Now that you’ve identified the lies, search for what God says about you – His Truth! Below are a couple of examples of how you can use God’s word to replace those lies:

  • Lie: I don’t deserve love
  • Truth: I am loveable. God loved me so much that he sent his Son as a sacrifice for my sins. – 1 John 4:10
  • Lie: I am worthless
  • Truth:  I am Worthy. God chose me and appointed me to go and bear fruit. – John 15:16
  • Lie: I am different (I don’t belong)
  • Truth: I belong to God. I am not a stranger or a foreigner; I am a citizen along with God’s holy people. I am a member of God’s family. – Ephesians 2:19

Identifying God’s truths is an important part of taking those thoughts captive. God’s word calls us to be different than the world. This means we have to take certain measures to protect ourselves. So, protect your mind by changing the way you think! Practice daily. It may help to use index cards to write down these truths and memorize them. When the insecurities or lies creep up, crush them with God’s word!

  • 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (NIV)

Are you ready to begin the process of cleaning your inner wardrobe? If anyone has ever told you that it doesn’t have to be hard let me tell you that they are setting you up for failure. Yes, this is difficult work. You are not just cleaning your closet – you are cleaning your spiritual closet. But remember, you “can do all this through him who gives” you strength – Philippians 4:13 – God believes in you!

Stay tuned for part 2 – Cleaning our Body and Spirit!

Rest in His Word: Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

Heart Checkup:

  • What’s been getting in the way of being honest with God?
  • What have my eyes been seeing? What have my ears been hearing? How are these getting in the way of hearing God’s voice?
  • What can I change today? Choose one thing and work on it. Then move on to another…

*Graphs and Quotes taken from: United States Department of Labor – http://www.bls.gov/tus/charts/LEISURE.HTM

Our Inner Wardrobe

28 February 2012

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Sometimes, our heart and mind is similar to our closets; we clutter them with useless and unhelpful items, which become our inner wardrobe.

It’s that time of year again when I usually begin to clean out my closet and fill up bags that end up at the Salvation Army. I take out my clothes, try it on and dispose of items that are too worn or that don’t fit anymore. It’s so liberating to be able to let go of “stuff” that I just don’t use or is no longer a good fit.

I must admit that the process of cleaning out my closet is uncomfortable. It’s a drag having to take everything out, just to put it back in. I have to try on items that sometimes I know just won’t fit and have to face that reality. After I’m done trying things, I think, “I can’t put the clothes back in with dirty shelves.” So, I then proceed to dust off the shelves, clear out any spider webs hanging on the ceiling corners and end up cleaning the floors. Only then do I feel the clothes are ready to be put back in. During the entire process, I try to focus on the end result: a de-cluttered closet = a focused mind.

Sometimes, our heart and mind are similar to our closets; we clutter them with useless and unhelpful items (problems, lying, anger, worries, un-forgiveness, resentments, past emotional injuries, negative beliefs, and all kinds of idols). These become our inner wardrobe. We wear them as a way to mask our pain, to distract us from our fears and to satisfy our cravings. But there comes a point where that inner closet gets full – a tremendous amount of energy and time is used to push and shove things inside. Why? So that others won’t see the truth within! And why are we surprised when we open the door and things come spilling out on top of us? The stench is so strong that we can no longer deny there’s a problem.

It’s a good idea to clean out our spiritual wardrobe. We cannot disconnect the mental (mind), physical (body) and emotional (heart) well being from the spiritual (soul & spirit). When there’s a deficiency in the spiritual department, other areas suffer.  Some pieces in our wardrobe are still functional and good pieces, while others need to be completely eliminated. When we remove these pieces that are actually damaging the “image” of the rest of our wardrobe, we make room for our true inner selves to shine! – Philippians 2:15

You see, it’s not about your outer garment; it’s ALL about your inner wear. Whatever is in your heart, will ultimately spring forth – “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” – Matthew 12:34 (NIV). It’s the OVERFLOW that matters. Many times, we get so busy trying to maintain our outward appearance that we forget about the inner heart. “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

How do we begin the process of clearing our inner wardrobes? Stay tuned for the next blog post – Cleaning Our Inner Wardrobe – for some practical steps you can take to help you in this process.

Rest in His Word: Psalm 86:11

“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; 
give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

Heart Checkup:

  • What’s inside your inner wardrobe? Take a good look!
  • In what ways have you neglected your spiritual wardrobe?
  • In what ways have you tried to mask the pain within?
  • How have you been busy with pleasing man with your outer appearance?