Who else thinks that the thrift stores are going to have a heyday when they all open again? So many people I know have used the extra time on their hands during our sheltering in place to clean out attics, closets, basements, and garages. I’m guessing that those of you who enjoy thrift store shopping are itching to get into those stores! I do not enjoy second-hand shopping, but I get really happy about cleaning and organizing spaces. Clearing out what is no longer pleasing or useful is very satisfying. I can be as ruthless as Marie Kondo. I hate clutter.
We’ve done a bit of “quarantine cleaning” at my house, but I realized that there is different type of cleaning I am needing to tackle. The isolation, and schedule and activity changes as a result of this pandemic have me battling a lot of negative thoughts and emotions. But I have become determined to clean them out my mind and heart.
I confessed that I like to organize things. Here is another confession—I hate to lose. And I just refuse to let Satan win the battle for my heart and mind. I will not let him have that power over me.
But how? When fear, anger, cynicism, insecurity, anxiety, inadequacy, shame, or even just apathy overwhelm us, how do we combat them practically? Satan is powerful. He wants us distracted and feeling defeated. He delights when we get stuck or cease to care.
Often it is true that the “best offense is a good defense.” A foundational knowledge of God’s word and regular time spent in prayer are critical parts of our spiritual armor that keep negativity at bay. I realized that in the “melding of days” due to our isolation, I’d let those things slip a bit and have been more diligent about ensuring I carve out that time. Those disciplines have helped me better recognize and defend myself against the power of negativity.
But sometimes the best offense is, well, a good offense. This week I’ve been on the offensive against those negative thoughts and emotions. I realized that if I was giving in to any of the emotions or thoughts I listed above (and more), I was ultimately failing to believe a truth about God. I was trusting how I felt or how things looked instead of trusting in that truth. Truth is our offense. It isn’t enough just to try to stop the negative. We must attack it before it gets a foothold and replace it with what we know is true.
This week I have repeated that God would equip me for every good work that He has planned for me (Hebrews 13:21.) Those feelings of insecurity and inadequacy that were causing me to doubt my calling and mission had to go.
This week I have declared that my God will hear me and that I will wait on Him (Micah 7:7.) And my fears of unanswered prayers for my future have not plagued me.
This week I have affirmed that God is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18.) The concern for so many friends and family who are grieving, facing financial losses, or family break-ups has been lifted as I know that God is with them.
In John 8:32, Jesus tells the gathered group of Jews at the temple, “…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The Gospel Truth sets us free from sin, of course. But it also frees us to live abundantly and joyfully and positively, secure in the truth of God’s promises and His coming kingdom.
Let’s play some offense.
Let’s do some cleaning.
And for all you shoppers out there, may the second-hand stores open soon!