Encouragement

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Matthew 6:19-20
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

I admit it. I enjoy watching the reality show “Hoarders”. It used to be that my self-righteousness would want to kick in and judge. Fortunately the Spirit reminded me how messed I would be without my Savior.

The show has a central theme of why most hoarders are hoarders. An unfortunate or traumatic experience in their past has made them get stuck. As Christians we could be “spiritual hoarders”. No, I’m not promoting a new reality show. What I am doing is looking at what I’ve had to realize in my life and share it in hope’s it will help someone else. In essence, I’m removing clutter from my house and giving to others. This very act of removing clutter from a house is the beginning for a real life hoarder to heal and get unstuck. So it is with Christians. Some of us Christians get stuck at the cross of Jesus. They never grow or build from there. Some of us grow for a few years until we get offended or a tragedy happens. Some just quit because they were looking for all the goodies of God and didn’t get them fast enough. (Sorry for stepping on some toes.) It could be any number of situations that would keep us from moving forward in any area of our life.

What is it for you? I would guess if you’re not experiencing growth in any area of your life, you are stuck. If you’re stuck it’s hard to see a good future. It’s hard to see a way to get unstuck. You’re likely frustrated with life. When we are stuck it’s difficult to have faith and hope in our God.

Here are a few steps that have helped me get unstuck.
1. Identifying the area(s) of your stuckness. (Is that a word?)
Is it you health, career, a relationship or is it emotional? You may find it easy to identify or you may have to dig deep but do this step first. Once found, you can then start the process.
Remember Peter before he denied Christ. He was stuck in his own limited ability to follow Christ. After he came face to face with the truth, he then became a pillar in our Christian history.
2. Read Luke 9:13-17 several times in different translations. This is a powerful principle for “spiritual hoarders”. Simply put, when we give the wisdom, knowledge or gift that God has given to us to feed the hungry, we don’t lose it. It multiplies when you share it. If you share your story of salvation, you aren’t suddenly un-saved. If you share some bit of helpful information at work, you don’t suddenly not know what you just shared. On the contrary, it multiplies.
In addition, Jesus said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
If we start sharing little by little what we know, in any area of our life, to the benefit of others, we will start to notice the flow of life again. To not share your wisdom, knowledge or gift is hoarding.
3. Go with the flow.
Revelation 22:1 (AMP) says, “Then He showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
We have the fullness of Christ living in us. Therefore we, potentially, could have the river of life flowing out of us. Hoarding stops the flow of life. First it stops your life then the life you could have touched.
If a kitchen sink is clogged, the water will flow slower and slower because of build up in the drain. When the drain is completely clogged the water will back up to the surface and will bring a vomit inducing smell with it. (Sorry for the gross description but I’m trying to make a point.) This is what happens to us if we get spiritually clogged. We slowly die and become a bitter smelling portrayal of Christ and Christianity. Sharing your wisdom, knowledge or gifts keeps the river flowing.
Are you hoarding? If so, start with these steps to begin to lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
The Spirit helps us in many different ways. I hope this helps you.
What are other ways the Spirit has helped you get out of your stuckness? (There’s that word again.)

Andy

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