In my last post I shared about about Peter Marsh’s system of creating three piles to help families deal with their junk. The three piles are Keep, Sell, and Throw Away. Yesterday I focused on the hurts we can keep that won’t hurt us in the long run. The hurts we keep are the ones we can testify about, the ones we have forgiven, and the ones that made us spiritually stronger. Today I want to talk about the Sell Pile.
The sell pile is where I struggle to release my hurts to be redeemed. I like to hold on to my offenses because I think I am justified in doing so. When I hold an offense and don’t release it (sell it, redeem it) it’s because of a few factors.
The first factor: Higher ground
In some warped way I think I am teaching someone a lesson by withholding my love, affection, or attention. This could not be further from the truth. The old adage about drinking poison and waiting for other people to die applies here. Most of the people I am offended at don’t even know I am offended at them.
The second factor: Inability to process hurt
Sometimes, when we’re hurt, all communication shuts down and all we are left with is our own thoughts. I have all my arguments down and the mental role-play I rehearse reinforces my position. Selling or redeeming something I’ve grow attached to becomes more and more difficult the longer it stays in my heart.
Watch Peter try to talk through selling items with these clients
Click HERE to watch
Peter reflects what the Holt Spirit does with us. The clients represent us, bickering with the Holy Spirit who is trying to help bring resolutions our lives. Solomon shows us the futility of exercising our authority especially when we are wrong.
No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver those who practice it. All this I have seen and applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt.
Ecclesiastes 8:9
Evil will not deliver those who practice it. Let’s rephrase that
Bitterness will not heal us.
Grudges will not deliver us.
Open wounds will not restore us.
Nothing good can come of holding on to past, un-forgiveness hurts us in the long run.
Jesus came to redeem, to purchase back was stolen. We slow down the work of the Holy Spirit in our own spiritual maturity when we won’t release those who hurt us. Like a house filled with clutter limits our movement, a heart filled with hurt limits our potential.
Isaiah explains God’s exchange system to Israel
To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified Isaiah 61;3
Israel had been through slavery, poverty, and the Lord’s own discipline. God is patient. He’s waiting until we are ready to make the exchange. Our hurts for his healing. His beauty for our ashes.
Jesus confirms the great deal God offers
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.… Matthew 11:28, 29
At the end of each Clean Sweep episode their is a yard sale where all the items put on the sell pile are sold. Money is made and space in the home has been redeemed. Picture all your hurts on the front lawn of your home with a big For Sale sign put up. Now, imagine Jesus driving up in a pick up truck or dump truck and saying, “I’ll take everything you got”.
Next: Being offended by all the right things
Your Turn
What offenses need to go on your sell pile?