Why the Clutter in Our Homes Is About More Than Just the Stuff—and How to Tackle It!

As an author and homeschooling mom of almost grown children, Shannon Acheson believes as much as I do Home is the most important place on earth. That’s where we go to be refreshed, to be our true selves, and to give and receive the love we all need. In her new book The clutter fixreveals Shannon a overloaded Home is more than just the stuff. With wisdom and grace, she teaches why and how embracing the art of simplicity can help you create the peaceful home your heart and family long for. It is a grace to welcome Shannon to the farm table today…

Guest post by Shannon Acheson

I have written about home for the last ten years. How to decorate it, how to organize it, how to create projects, how to organize holidays and overall, how to make home a place to love friends, family and neighbors.

During that time, I’ve had many conversations with women about what their biggest problems are with their homes. And again and again was the answer disarray.

Time and time again, women have shared with me how they feel overwhelmed, depressed, lack confidence, and generally unsure of where to begin to address the chaos in their home.

“Clutter isn’t just about the stuff.”

All of this makes sense because Clutter isn’t just about the stuff.

It’s about how we feel in our homes and how we live our lives. It’s mental and emotional, not just physical. It’s about being good stewards of the time, resources, and space that God has given us.

but Even when we’re desperately trying to declutter and organize our homes, it can be difficult to find the momentum to get the job done. We can become distracted, frustrated, and overwhelmed because we often make a bigger mess before we can actually make it better.

“It’s often difficult to see the end in the midst of chaos.”

In the midst of chaos, it is often difficult to keep an eye on the end. Our spirit and soul will need help along the way.

One way to do this is to create and practice affirmations.

Affirmations don’t have to be weird. They’re simply a way to remind yourself to think good things along the way. They are a valuable tool in helping you achieve your peaceful home goals.

Affirmations help you because they:

• Become more aware of your negative thoughts
• Have the potential to change what you think and believe about yourself and your home
• Help you feel more positive, energetic and motivated

Affirmations help us to rewire old thought patterns and create new, more positive thought paths. These in turn lead to better habits and actions in our lives.

The Bible emphasizes the importance and importance of being aware and paying attention to what we are thinking about.

“The scriptures encourage us not to get caught up in negative thinking, but to consciously bring our minds back to righteous, pure, and beautiful thoughts!”

“What is true, what is honorable, what is just, what is pure, what is lovely, whatever is laudable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything laudable, ponder these things.” (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

“Do not conform yourself to this world, but transform yourself through the renewal of your mind, that through trial you may know what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)

“As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV)

The scriptures encourage us not to get caught up in negative thinking, but to consciously bring our minds back to righteous, pure, and beautiful thoughts!

We do that as we study the scriptures and read uplifting stories of faith and endurance. And we can also do this by creating and focusing on positive words of affirmation on a regular basis.

words are powerful. And we can use them to help us with the clutter in our homes, just as we can use them to help us with finances, faith, and even encouragement to our loved ones.

So what are affirmations?

Affirmations are simply words that will help you create positive changes in your life and home – a few words strung together into a sentence or phrase that you find meaningful. This can be Bible verses, song lyrics, or quotes from your favorite author or book.

Once you’ve settled on the phrases or phrases that encourage you about where you are in your season of decluttering and organizing, keep them front and center.

• Write them down in your journal every day
• Place them on notes where you’ll see them throughout the day (e.g. on your bathroom mirror, your desk or your car’s dashboard).
• Keep a list on your phone or by your bed and just read it every morning before you fall asleep or when you wake up

To get you started, here are a few verses that make great affirmations:

• “God is in her, she will not fall.” (Psalm 46:5)
• “God can bless you abundantly, to abound in all good works in everything and at all times in everything you need.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
• “Be not anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving bring your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Start the work of creating a tidy home here:

What kind and true and gentle words of God can you harbor in your heart?

There:

The words you make a home for in your heart will be what will bring true beauty to your home.

The words of God living in your heart will change the way you live in your home.

The best way to declutter a home is to first let God’s words and truth fill our hearts.

[ Our humble thanks to Bethany House Publishers for their partnership in today’s devotion ]