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Lessons Learned from OCD Habits

It’s that time of year where many people begin spring cleaning, organizing their closets, throwing out things they don’t use, etc. I am one of those people. I love to organize, I love a good system. However, I don’t just wait once a year to “spring clean” my house. I do it year round. Some call me crazy, but I have found it to be a outward expression of what I am doing inside.

 
 
First off, let me paint a picture for you. Growing up, I was not always the tidiest kid, but I was the most organized. When my mom used to tell me “Go clean your room”; I tried really hard to do what she said. So, when I began to pick up toys, books, clothes, etc to put them away…I couldn’t. I couldn’t just surface clean…I could not just put my toys on shelf that was not organized, I could not just hang my clothes on a the rack without an organization system, I could not even hang my clothes on just any hanger…it had to be a certain color.
 
 
Why you ask? Well, you see, when I opened the drawer…it was unorganized and messy, just like my floor. By putting my clothes or toys or whatever in that drawer was only moving the mess somewhere else. Now, many people would never see that mess because it was hidden, but I always knew it was there. I began to get very frustrated and overwhelmed.
 
 
My solution… Well, I began to dump everything out of my dresser drawers and began to organize the contents…you can only imagine how my mother reacted when she walked in to check on me and my room was more of mess than before I started. But, after it was all organized dresser drawers and floor, the burden was lifted…I could relax again…I could enjoy my room.
 
 
You may be asking yourself, why am I telling you all of this…to prove I am crazy…to prove I need professional help…to share my quirks…. I am sharing this story because it is tells a lot about how we should live our lives as Christians
 
 
Many Christians, surface clean their lives. What do I mean by that? They put on show…they make Christianity a religion rather than a relationship with their Creator and with their Savior. They go to church on Sunday, they may read their bible, say prayer each day, go to Christian events, fellowship with other Christians, but behind closed doors…they don’t really have a relationship with their Savior.
 
 
To be true followers of Christ, true disciples we cannot just surface clean our lives…we have to get down and dirt and clean the inside of our lives first…the part that no one sees except you and God. Just as I have to organize my dresser drawers before I can pick up my clothes off the floor we need to organize our heart, thoughts, our body, etc before we do anything else. We need the clean up the baggage that we carry inside of us before we can move forward.
 
 
Why you ask… When our hearts our focused on God, when our thoughts are organized and focused on the plan God has for us…it make life much more peaceful and joyful. Now, let me just say this. Living for Christ, being a disciple for Christ does not guarantee a perfect life with no pain, trials, or heartache…if anything it will guarantee a life filled with trials, storms, giants, and heartache.
 
 
All my life, I have had to deal with change, battle giants, survive treacherous storms, and overwhelming thoughts of temptation, just like many of you. But, there has always be one thing that has never changed…the love and faithfulness of my Jesus. And, the stronger my relationship (having all my dresser drawers in my heart organized) with Him during those times the easier it was to getting through those tough times and more joy it produced.
 
 
Being a Christian is more than just a religion…it’s a relationship with your Savior. And, with every good relationship takes work. So, have you cleaned out your dresser drawers in your heart lately. I promise it will help get through that tough time or if you are currently on a mountain top it will help you stay there and even prepare you for the valley ahead. Lastly, it will create a joy in your heart that you have never felt before and make your love relationship with your Savior so much sweeter.

Tips on ‘Spring Cleaning’ Your Spirit

  1. Ask for Help – Cleanse Your Heart

      Psalm 51:10

      Hebrews 10:22

  1. Deep Clean from the Inside and Out

      Luke 6:45

      Philippians 2:14

  1. Take Out the Garbage – Renew Your Mind

      Romans 12:2 –

      2 Corinthians 10:5 –

  1. Clean Out Your Spiritual Closets – Repent from Hidden Sin

      Psalm 32: 3-5

  1. Get Rid of Old Baggage – Release Any Bitterness and Forgive

      Hebrews 12:1

      Ephesians 4:31-32

  1. Let Jesus Be a Part of Your Daily Life

      1 Corinthians 1:9

      Psalm 56:13

  1. Don’t Take Life or Yourself Too Seriously – Learn to Laugh

      Psalm 28:7

      Psalm 126:2