Spring Cleaning Your Heart

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

The first day of spring sailed into the calendar on Saturday, March 20^th. While many parts of the country are still digging out from under the snow, many of us are contemplating spring cleaning . . . the time of year when we take on the task of cleaning every inch of our home, attic, garage and clean the yard for new growth. Fall and winter add dirt and dust that build up in places we don’t want to look. Cleaning must be done no matter how much we moan, groan, and postpone.

Many look forward to sprucing up their space.
Many dread it.
Many try to figure out how to do it in one day.
Many denounce the idea and go about life as usual.

Spring Cleaning Your Heart

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Unfortunately, I also noticed a few dusty areas in my heart this year.

It complained of pandemic guidelines and stipulations.
It was a little bitter in canceling events.
It direly needed a new outfit that shouted optimism rather than negativity.

In viewing spring cleaning this year, my thoughts moved in a somewhat different direction. How do I spring clean my heart? After exploring and studying, these tips have helped me clean up a heart that needed a fresh look.

Make sure your heart belongs to God.
Commit to renewal.
Establish priorities. Are they God, family, friends, work?
Remind yourself of values.
Seek out ways to better others. When the focus is on us, selfishness creeps in.
Explore a new hobby.
Share your need with your spouse, trusted friend, or counselor.

Benefits of spring cleaning your heart

Peace
Better health
Laugh more
Fun to be with
Experience energy
Love showers us
The world looks brighter—more beautiful
God’s blessings from unexpected places

Psalm 51:10-12 ESV shows us David’s need for a clean heart.

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
¹¹Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.