What Do You Do With Your Trash?

 

Garbage. We all have it. We have it in the kitchen in the trash bin. We see it blowing along the streets sometimes. We might even view some people’s possessions this way – as garbage and not deserving a place in their homes (one man’s trash is another man’s treasure).

We have it in our minds. All the wrong thoughts, beliefs and lies we have tucked away in there amount to trash.

The Apostle Paul even considered all his earthly accomplishments as trash compared to the glory of knowing God. (Philippians 3:8)

Some people are fortunate to have compartments in their mind. Enjoying all the benefits of A.D.D. (I jest) all of my thoughts are sometimes scrambled together in one large room that could be labeled chaos. I seriously need to learn to put on the mind of Christ!

But if you sort through things and compartmentalize them, do you have a garbage bin tucked away in your mind somewhere?

Earlier today I was pondering this and realized it would be very effective to have a little trash bin in my mind – one like the one in my email, where I can just click on “empty bin” and it would all be gone in an instant. Like with my email, I’d have to pause and ask myself, “Am I sure I want to delete this? It’s a permanent decision.”

I recently shared a blog post about becoming organized and focused. That’s going to take some work. But how can I clean any room and organize without a trash bin (or Goodwill box) for what I no longer want or need?

The same goes for my mind.

There are plenty of unorganized thoughts I might want to forget about, but do I want to delete them forever? Well, yes – the lies I have stored up there need to go. But not necessarily all the unpleasant memories.

Let’s face it, some of those experiences brought me to where I am today. And today – I am quite happy. As a matter of fact, there’s little that could make me happier and more joyful than I am (despite the occasional bad mood or how much you might hear me complain about nothing).

So how do we tell the lies from the unpleasant memories or problematic thoughts?

Well, fortunately, that question has a pretty easy answer. It’s called taking all thoughts captive, something I didn’t understand for the longest time.

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (KJV)

If I captured a bunny or a butterfly to enjoy its beauty and awe, I would momentarily release it.

If I captured a wild, angry rabid wolf, I would have to have it killed for safety’s sake.

When I capture a thought (taking it captive to take a closer look at it), how will I know if it’s something I need to hang on to or throw away?

I’ll lay it at the feet of Jesus in prayer and ask Him what He makes of it.

If He calls it a lie and reveals it should be tossed out, it needs to go into my mental trash bag. Yes, the one I need to take with me daily and empty before the end of the day. For me – this is something I’ll need to imagine every morning, or I’ll forget to take it with me.

But how will we know what Jesus thinks of my thoughts? He’ll tell you, and you will know His voice.

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” – John 10:4 (ESV)

This is where trusting in God becomes your faith.

This is a pivotal moment in your life; the moment you’ve looked for all your life. God has already hidden that faith in your heart. You just need to uncover it.

“ Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” – Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)

Learn His voice by listening for Him every day. Converse with Him. He’s always longing to engage intimately with you.

And bring along that mental trash bag. He’ll even throw it away for you, if you let Him.