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What Is Emotional Clutter?
Diane Burton • Oct 18, 2017
So, what is emotional clutter?
I wanted to share with you what emotional clutter is.
Some of this material I had the privilege of learning during a 40 day Joy Challenge with Tommy Newberry, author of “The 4:8 Principle.” If you haven’t read his book, I highly recommend it.
So, what is emotional clutter? It’s what Tommy Newberry calls, “RATS” – Really Awful Thoughts!
Emotional clutter are negative thoughts, and negative thoughts can be more dangerous than a germ. Here are some words that come to mind when thinking about emotional clutter:
Unforgiving
Negative Feelings
Fatigue
Fear
Frustration
Worry (trusting your fears more than God)
Resentment
Jealousy
Anger
Ungrateful
Discouragement
Disappointment
Always Sick……….The list can go on and on.
How do those words make you feel?
Did you know they are ALL the thinking of the devil!? The thoughts you have and the words you use shape the world you see.
Do you see the world as evil or God filled? If you have emotional clutter and RATS, then you are having a hard time finding God in your world. Henry David Thoreau said, “You find the world you look for.”
What kind of world are you looking for? Do you begin your day with joyous, God centered thoughts or do you dread the alarm going off and getting out of bed?
When you focus on emotional clutter, it breeds discontent, smothers your joy, keeps you from focusing on God & others, and it transforms your mind into a junk yard!!
Emotional Clutter puts more focus on your challenges and difficulties instead of your blessings. What if those challenges and difficulties were lessons from God disguised as blessings and gifts?
When I was helping take care of my 101 year-old mother-in-law, I began to have negative feelings about the time it took (about 30 hours a week) and even feeling some resentment. One day, as I was in my quiet time reading my bible, a question came to mind. It was, “God, what are the lessons you are wanting me to learn during this time?” After asking that question, I began to have peace about taking care of her and began to look for the lessons, blessings and gifts in each day with her. I won’t say it was easy taking care of her – there were some challenging moments; however, I had a better attitude and it was fun looking for those lessons, blessings and gifts.
You might say, “Diane, how can I have joy-filled thoughts when the devil is attacking me and I’m going through some really hard times? You don’t understand!”
No, I don’t understand everything you are going through. However, I know who does. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
2 Corinthians 1:3,4 is one of the most calming, comforting, peaceful scriptures. It says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
I encourage you to look for the lessons, blessings and gifts in every situation in your life. And, keep the scripture from Psalm 34:18 and 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 on your heart so you will allow God to comfort you in all your affliction.
May your day be filled with The Maser’s Peace,
Diane Burton
The Masterpiece Coach
I've been where you are. Now I am at PEACE.
Coaching helped me RELEASE my past.
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