Does thinking about all of the holidays coming up feel exhausting? The calendar quickly fills with family commitments, church ministries, school events, fall sports, and early holiday planning, while piles silently grow on counters and in closets.
Before long, fatigue meets frustration, and we wonder why we’re so tired even after a whole night’s sleep. Friend, it may not be “your age.” Sometimes the root of our fatigue lies in our environment. When our spaces are chaotic, our bodies pay the price.
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” 1 Corinthians 14:33
Why Clutter Drains Energy
Every stack of papers, every catch‑all drawer, every laundry heap represents a choice that hasn’t been made. Psychologists call this the “open‑loop” effect, when your brain keeps tabs on
unfinished tasks, quietly burning energy in the background.
Visual clutter also acts like static on a radio: your eyes must constantly sort and filter, which taxes attention and raises stress chemistry. Multiply that across rooms and weeks, and you’ve got a constant, invisible leak of energy.
God’s Good Order
From the opening verses of Genesis, God demonstrates his principle of order as part of His wisdom and creation.
The virtuous woman, a midlife homemaker, of Proverbs 31, demonstrates order and discipline in her home. She's not frantic; she is prepared and consistent, allowing her to demonstrate generosity and kindness while working to meet her family's needs.
Midlife women often carry heavy loads; besides marriage, children, and ministry, they may also have the added roles of grandmother and caregiver to aging parents. This requires discernment from the Lord to gain wisdom for simplifying and stewarding their homes with joy.
“Let all things be done decently and in order” 1 Corinthians 14:40
The Clutter - Stress Cycle
Clutter breeds stress; stress breeds impulse purchases; new purchases create more clutter. Clutter hides waste, such as duplicate spices, expired snacks, and craft supplies you've forgotten you own.
Think about how many times you are running late because you can’t find an item. These situations often lead to arguments and frustration due to the mental and emotional stress they bring into our homes, which leads to health issues and even relationship issues.
Breaking the cycle requires honesty: What is this item costing me in attention, space, time, and peace? Does it help me love God and serve others well in this season? If not, cast it away.
“A time to keep, and a time to cast away” (Ecclesiastes 3:6).
A Peaceful Fall Declutter Plan
Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Find three sorting bins. Keep (put away), Donate, and Trash. No “maybe” pile.
- Start with flat surfaces. I recommend starting with the kitchen, since it's the hub of the home. Set a 15‑minute timer.
- Sort by category: Papers, pantry snacks, plastics, towels, etc. Keep like with like.
- Surface reset at night: Clear kitchen counters, so tomorrow begins with a visual calm.
Holiday Peace
As you declutter, pause to pray over your home. Ask the Lord to help you cast out what no longer serves you in this season, so your space can bless your family and those who enter in. When we bring order and routine into our homes, we create space for rest, clarity, and renewed strength.
The less clutter, the fewer decisions. Fewer decisions mean calmer hormones. Sleep deepens in a clear room; motivation rises when keys and shoes have a home; and energy lifts when the eyes rest on order instead of chaos.
May the Lord help us to prep our home as a place of rest and ministry, ready for the holidays ahead.
Explore the intricate link between anxiety, stress, and the power of our thoughts in this blog post. Discover how anxiety's physical manifestations, such as muscle tension and heart palpitations, often stem from unresolved worries and cares not cast on the Lord. Focusing on II Corinthians 10:5, we aim to transform anxious thoughts into peace-filled ones by learning practical steps to nurture a sound mind and embark on a God-centered health journey. Embrace these holistic strategies for reclaiming your peace and health amidst life's inevitable stressors.
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One of my favorite things to do is review case studies. This is where a practitioner gives a detailed analysis of a client’s medical history, symptoms, test findings, protocol, and outcome.
While reading 1 Timothy 5:23-24, I noticed the protocol Paul gave to Timothy: using a little wine for his stomach and often for his infirmities, which led to a series of WHY questions.
Why was his stomach upset, and why did he often have infirmities?
When evaluating a client’s health history, you consider the whole person: physical, mental, and emotional history. For today, we are evaluating his ministry…
We know he’s a young and somewhat inexperienced pastor.
There is no written scripture to cover the situations he’s dealing with in his church, so he's winging it.
He doesn’t have a phone to call Paul and discuss the situations he’s dealing with.
Then he gets a letter from Paul, which gives a lot of reproof and instruction on some heavy topics.
He was dealing with issues like people teaching other doctrines, women’s apparel, and subjection to authority, as well as the requirements of bishops and deacons.
He was also addressing those who departed from the faith and the crazy things they were teaching. He was dealing with the difference between young widows and widows indeed.
Then there was Hymenaeus and Alexander, the blasphemers. He had a lot of spiritual warfare going on.
Let's face it, dealing with people is hard! Situations like these take a spiritual, emotional, and physical toll on the body, mind, and spirit! No wonder his stomach was in knots and he was often sick!
What was happening physically to Timothy was that the sympathetic nervous system was responding to mentally perceived threats or confrontational circumstances. When activated, it increases heart rate, elevates blood pressure, and releases adrenaline, cuts off digestion, and shuts down the immune system.
The problem is when we stay in a state of anxiety, and the body can’t return to homeostasis, the "rest and digest" mode, which appears to be what was happening to Timothy.
Pauls Protocol:
First, Paul reminded him to nourish up in the words of faith and a good doctrine. I see this as a spiritual nourishment; when we're not well, our time in the word can sometimes be put on the back burner.
Next, he instructed him to refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and told him that bodily exercise profits little. Don't let other interests and hobbies distract you from your calling.
Then he begins the famous “Let no man despise thy youth” challenge. Here, he reminds Timothy that taking action in exhorting others and using the gifts he’d been given helps keep our minds off our troubles.
Lastly, he told him to use a little wine as a medicine. Something to help calm the mind and nervous system. This indicates to me that he was seriously struggling!
Through the Holy Spirit, Paul must have known Timothy was on a slippery slope because he said, “...for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.”
I hope this is helpful if you’re having mental and emotional stress. Timothy is a perfect example that mental stress does happen to believers and those in ministry.
For more tips on managing stress and anxiety, read “Stress-Busting Techniques to Calm the Mental Chaos.”
Explore the profound connection between spiritual well-being and physical health as we delve into Psalm 32's insights on the health consequences of harboring unconfessed sin. This exploration reveals how prolonged resistance to repentance can present as physical ailments.
Discover how these biblical teachings guide a path to not only spiritual renewal but also optimal health, demonstrating that a clean heart is essential for the wellness of a Christian. Ready to renew your health and spirit? Follow along to uncover these timeless truths and the additional steps to reclaiming holistic health.
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I know organizing a home is a springtime project but spring is almost over and I want to make sure you're ready.
When you don't have your house in order, it causes A LOT of unnecessary confusion, frustration, arguments, and mental stress (which causes illness)!
Getting organized before summer will leave you so much more relaxed and peaceful; ready to enjoy the summer season that will fly by so fast! Plus, think of all the time it will save you and time is so valuable!
"Let all things be done decently and in order." I Corinthians 14:40
