Since it's Saturday, maybe you have an extra five minutes to inventory the neighborhood that is in your house.
Do you have uninvited neighbors living there?
I'm thinking of two in particular: Unforgiveness and Anxiety.
Unforgiveness takes up residence when we hold onto the wrong done to us. Yes, we've been wronged. And yes, we have have the right to be angry. So we sit in the cesspool of our anger and get...hardened and even more angry.
Anxiety--well, anxiety just has a heyday with us. Every future thought, every unbalanced budget, every love of our life that is threatened somehow presents us with opportunity to let Anxiety in. We entertain Anxiety to the point of maiming our very bodily health.
Both of these neighbors are unproductive and steal joy. Joy is at the door but we don't let her in because we are too busy entertaining Unforgiveness and Anxiety. They are such a part of the landscape that we forget they are separate from us.
Try this: whichever is your nuisance Neighbor, look in the mirror and introduce yourself to yourself minus the Neighbor. Yes, it sounds crazy but it might go something like this...Sam, meet Sam without Unforgiveness. This Sam no longer needs unforgiveness and is going to let Joy in the door so Forgiveness takes us residence.
Or: Jill, meet Jill without Anxiety. This Jill no longer needs Anxiety because she can give God the worry and let Joy in the door. Anxiety must leave every time God gets invited into the house.
Don't expect these neighbors to rush right out the door. It takes a lot of work everyday to sweep our house clean and invite in Joy and Forgiveness, and to let God know that He is welcome here.
Could be the best five minutes of your day.
