Spring Clean the “drop zone” of your Brave Hearted soul by Maria Guzman

Hello Brave Hearted Steppers, 

As the first day of Spring is March 19th, the Brave Hearted Blog Writers including myself are writing blog posts under the series, “Spring Cleaning for the Brave Hearted Soul.” I’m so excited to see what God has in store for us this month and how we can do some “Spring Cleaning” in our Brave Hearted souls!

How many take advantage of the Spring cleaning season and do a thorough or deep clean of their entire home, room by room, from top to bottom? 

This type of cleaning consists of areas that you do not clean regularly (cleaning underneath rugs and furniture, dusting on top of bookshelves, etc.). In addition, Spring Cleaning means to clean up the dirt from the ceiling all the way to the floor. Which means wiping and dusting every surface and furniture, decluttering, organizing, and throwing away what you don’t need.

Fun Fact: Did you know for the National Day Calendar, there is a Spring Cleaning Day (March 24th) and Spring Cleaning Week (March 24th – March 30th)?

As I was doing a routine house cleaning, this “Spring Cleaning for the Brave Hearted Soul” series came to mind. What stuck in my mind specifically is what is known as the “drop zone” of the home. A “drop zone” is that spot in your home where you drop “clutter (mail, purses, bags, etc.)” to keep it out of the other areas of your home.

There was a moment where I had to say the “drop zone” in my home was THE LAST thing I wanted to tackle. To the point that when I start to clean the “drop zone”, I start to procrastinate and end up not cleaning it as I don’t want to deal with it (as it could get time-consuming with decluttering, organizing and throwing away what I don’t need) after I cleaned up the rest of the other areas of the home. Days go by and the drop zone ends up with more and more clutter until it topples down to the floor. It is only then that I stop procrastinating and start cleaning up the clutter by eliminating unwanted junk mail, filing the paperwork in the file cabinet, etc. 

Do you have a “drop zone” that you don’t want to tackle? Have you dealt with procrastination?

This happens with our Brave Hearted souls as well. There are parts of our lives where we can do some Spring Cleaning in areas with ease such as happy moments, happy memories, good health days, forgiveness, gratefulness, etc. and then there is the “drop zone” area of our lives that we do not want to deal with it until it topples over. This kind of “drop zone” area could include clutter such as past hurts, bad memories, health issues, grief, guilt, grudges, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc. 

What “drop zone” area of your soul needs a Spring Cleaning?

Today, I encourage you to Spring Clean your Brave Hearted soul by decluttering, cleaning, and throwing away what you don’t need in the “drop zone” area before it gets so much that your emotions topple over and it will get worse instead of better. 

What is the root (clutter) of your “drop zone” area of your soul? 

The “drop zone” clutter comes from something that you are possibly trying to avoid e.g., fear and anxiety, guilt and shame, anger and bitterness, regret, denial, sadness, discouragement, unfulfilled dreams, self-doubt, overwhelmedness, indecisiveness, negative thoughts, holding on to resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness, and pride. These all clog up our relationship with the Lord and block His blessings in our lives. Root of ___________ (fill in the blank), etc. What is the root (clutter) of your “drop zone” of your Brave Hearted soul?

Today is your day to Spring Clean your drop zone clutter of your Brave Hearted soul! 

Today, I challenge you:

1. Name your “drop zone” clutter(s).

2. Find a Bible verse that speaks about your “drop zone” clutter.

3. Pray along with the Bible verse to help Spring Clean what is in your “drop zone.”

Let me give you an example:

1. Drop zone clutter – Deep clean your mouth inside and out. Deep cleaning your mouth is not just talking about bad language, it is also the negative talk and negative thoughts that contradict the Word of God and faith. This includes the challenge to stop complaining.

2.     Bible Verses:

a. Luke 6:45 – The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the heart, the mouth speaks.

b. Philippians 2:14 – Do everything without complaining or arguing.

2. Lord Jesus, thank you for your mercies renew every morning. Thank you for the new opportunity to work on deep cleaning my mouth inside and out. Thank you for your Word to remind me to be mindful of what is in my heart, my mouth speaks. As I surrender my mouth and what my mouth speaks, help me to be more mindful that instead of negative talk, I will speak positive talk; instead of complaining, I will not complain. Thank you for helping me address one part of my “drop zone” clutter that is needed for Spring Cleaning in my Brave Hearted soul. I know that it will be a process to do this kind of Spring Cleaning, but I confidently know that you will be by my side and make me victorious in this area for your glory! In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Brave Hearted Steppers, now it is your turn, how many will eliminate their procrastination and Spring Clean the “drop zone” area in your Brave Hearted soul? Please know this type of Spring Cleaning for your soul, will not happen overnight, it will take a process of decluttering those negative thoughts, holding onto resentment, etc.; organizing your thoughts, mindset, etc. Throw away what you don't need, fear, anxiety, etc., and with Jesus by your side helping you through the process, it will not be impossible.

Many Blessings,
Maria Guzman
Founder of Brave Hearted Ministry