Be honest: did you ever hide things under your bed or stuff things in the closet when your parents asked you to clean your room? If you didn’t and actually cleaned your room, that’s awesome. You were definitely more mature than me! I did not keep a clean room and only did the bare minimum when asked to tidy it up. Sadly, in some ways, I still do this.

We have a guest bedroom in our home, and if you know me, I have offered to let you stay with us since we do have that extra room. However, there are times when that bedroom becomes a place where I hide all the things I don’t have the energy to deal with, like dirty clothes that need to be washed or clean clothes that need to be put away. Sometimes, it’s things like mail that need a response, paperwork that needs to be shredded, things that need to be shipped, crafts I have started, or boxes that need to be broken down.

Basically, the guest bedroom becomes cluttered with things I don’t want to deal with, like when I hid stuff under my bed or crammed it in my closet as a teenager. It has also become a good indicator of my mental health. The messier the bedroom is, the more I can see how my depression is affecting my life and the more anxiety I have.

I know things are really bad when I close the door, so I don’t have to see everything I need to do. As I walked past the guest bedroom the other day and glanced inside, everywhere I looked was something I needed to take care of. I wanted to close the door, but God spoke to my heart and reminded me of who he is.

God isn’t afraid of the mess in our life. He already knows everything we may try to hide from ourselves and others. Psalm 139:1,4 says, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely.” God knows you – there is no thought or feeling he doesn’t know, and yet, he freely and abundantly offers his grace, mercy, and redemption because he loves you!

God will work for us and in us to clean our hearts and lives. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” God can and will purify our hearts, plus he promises to forgive the sins in our lives that lead to hurt, trouble, and mess! 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

The more we entrust to God, the more he will show us that he can and will help us when we call on him! Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” We don’t need to be afraid of the messes in our lives because God will always answer when we call out to him – always! Isaiah 41:10 says, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” You do not have to be overwhelmed or burdened by what’s in your life because he will be with you and will give you his strength!

All that God wants is for us to open the door to our hearts so he can work. Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Is there something in your life that seems too big? Something you want just to close the door on and try to forget about? Something that drains you of your peace and exhausts your spirit. I encourage you to open the door, swing it wide open, and ask God to come in and clean your heart and mind so that the mess isn’t just forgotten but gone.

Note: All verses are NIV-translation, and the photo is AI-generated.