“What a mess!” Those words were my first thought when I noticed the clutter scattered around the living room. No, not the space in our home with the TV, but the one that’s more personal. I mean the living space of my heart where thoughts are formed and attitudes are developed. It’s the room I know well, but others don’t…except for the Lord, and He wants me to join Him in a daily walk-through. Here’s how it works. 

Each day in prayer, I need to spend a few moments considering the room (especially the corners). To be honest, early on I thought someone had been sneaking in and leaving stuff (like worn-out furniture that mysteriously shows up “donated” to the church). Next, I found occasion to blame unwanted attitudes on someone else’s sin (like a stranger had walked through and tracked mud on the carpet). Then finally I realized the space in question was my responsibility, not others’, and that the mess was my own.  

So, what’s the status of your “living room”? Perhaps you’ve never trusted Christ, and your walk-through needs a beginning. If so, you can do that right now by admitting your need for Jesus’ forgiveness, asking Him to change your heart and committing to follow Him as Lord of your life. For those of us who know Christ already, daily “room prep” is an essential part of living victoriously. Here are three points to help with the process: 

• The Searching – start the process with an honest, prayerful evaluation: 

“Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.

See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” – Psalm 139:23-24 HCSB 

• The Cleaning – be willing to admit the need for God’s help even in the small things, and live in the grace of being forgiven:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 NKJV

• The Refreshing – Last, but not least; after dealing with the dirt and litter, let the Holy Spirit create the right atmosphere for a God-honoring day: 

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence

and if there is any praise-dwell on these things.”  – Philippians 4:8 HCSB