An Uncluttered Mind

 

By Andrea Merrell

In my dream, I saw inside my mind. On one side sat drawers, cabinets, and shelves full of neatly organized files and notes. A large, framed to-do list hung on the wall over them.

A perfectionist’s dream. I smiled at the neat and tidy arrangement.

Then I turned to the other side and gasped. Chaos. Papers scattered everywhere. Nothing in order. It looked as if a tornado had just passed through.

I turned back to the perfect side and thought, That’s how I like to do life—everything planned and in order. But I realized how easily I could get overwhelmed and fall back into the chaos, losing my peace.

“Which is better, Lord,” I asked.

Neither, my child, came the answer. One is unrealistic; the other causes stress and anxiety.

“So what should I do?”

Unclutter your mind. Take your eyes off all the things that need to be done, and keep your focus on me. I will bring order to your thoughts and lead you step by step.

I don’t normally remember my dreams, but this one stuck with me. Several Scriptures came to mind.

• “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV)—and His mind is not scattered.
• “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:3 NLT).
• “You keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).

So which way is better? Without a doubt, God’s way.

 

 Photo by Hillary Black on Unsplash