Be Relentless Devotion 4

Do you keep it….or get rid of it?

How many times have you asked yourself that question?

You  look in a closet, open a drawer, see your full basement or attic. Things you used to want to keep, you are suddenly ready to get rid of. It can work that way in our inner lives as well.

Those habits that we have clung to - but which we now see don’t help at all Those agendas that we once thought important - but which have become a distraction Those relationships that we used to enjoy - but now we see are actually harmful Those ideas you used to believe - but have learned that are fighting against God’s best for you

It’s time to clean house.

But just like that broken picture frame, or the pants that don’t fit anymore…YOU have to physically remove them. They are not going to walk out of your house by themselves.

Neither will that habit, agenda, or relationship, or belief

So then, how do you get rid of them?

You have to really mean it You must be more than intentional You have to take actual steps to remove them

Let’s break it down

First - Do you really mean it? Ask yourself, are you really getting rid of whatever it is, that bad habit, or belief because YOU really mean to, or because someone else has been pressuring you? If it’s not YOUR decision, it won’t last. Sorry but it won’t. What usually ends up happening is that you will get rid of it in some form, but in your heart you will hang on to it. And soon, you will go back to it…you’ll just hide it from the person who was pressuring you. 

Next, you have to be more than intentional. Good intentions are just a good start. By themselves, they don’t accomplish anything. How many times have you thought or said, “I intended to but didn’t….?”  The intention is not what matters. The bottom line is whatever you didn’t do. So if you really want a change, you will need to be more than intentional. Start there, sure, but don’t just stay there. Or you will just stay there: full of good intentions, but with no actual change. Just a lot of frustration. 

Last, take real steps. This is where you move from intention to action. And this is where it gets real. Taking steps means that thing is actually going away. Once you load up the bags of old clothing, or post that item for sale, that is just the first step. Unless you take another step, you can still hold onto those old things (And you are back at just being intentional). Likewise, acknowledging a bad habit, selfish agenda, or seeing a harmful relationship are first steps, but it’s imperative that you take real steps.  

First, tell God. He knows already, but your coming clean with Him will bring peace between the two of you that has been missing. The bible calls this confession.

“If we confess our sins (and let’s face it, that’s what we are actually talking about here), he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9

Second, tell someone who loves you or someone you trust. Depending on the severity of what you are dealing with, you may need counseling or some other intervention that you cannot get by yourself. If on the other hand, it’s really just a bad habit or wrong belief that you have become aware of, you may just need to tell a friend. 

“Hey _______, I’m reaching out to you because I am taking steps to deal with something that I need to change in my life and I could use some accountability.”

Now, some of you don’t even have a friend they could trust with the task of encouragement or accountability. I get it. And in that case, I encourage you to write your confession down, in a journal or diary, and date it. Then mark a date on the calendar, a week or a month later, to go read that entry in your journal. Self accountability can also be highly effective, and it’s a step to maturity to be able to govern yourself especially in areas of your life that are not areas of major concern: an exercise routine, a new healthy eating plan, time management, etc.

Then, make a goal to get some friends who will actually be a source of motivation, encouragement, prayer, support and accountability. We all need them.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

Lastly, order your steps. When you are cleaning your home, it’s more productive to tackle one project at a time. If every room in your house is a work in progress, then there is no place to rest, or find mental peace. In the same way, if you try to take on too many areas of change all at once, you will probably let go of most, if not all, of them. It’s too much. Choose one thing, one area of your life that needs improvement or flat out change, and focus on that. Then, once you are seeing success in that area, you can take on something else. God doesn’t require perfect holiness in a day, and we shouldn’t either. The important thing is to keep progressing, keep growing, and trust that in everything, any task you take on to be more like Christ, that you do not do it in your own power. The Holy Spirit is called the Helper for a reason. 

“Therefore…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Phil 2:13

Cleaning house is not just a good idea….it’s how you stay relentless!