Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Hoarders


Some of you may have watched the television show Hoarders but  I had never seen an episode until last week.  I was flipping through the channels on Labor Day hoping for a Criminal Minds or NCIS marathon but instead I happened upon Hoarders.  And I was mesmerized.  And heartbroken for the hoarders.

 The A & E channel defines it like this : "Compulsive Hoarding is a mental disorder marked by an obsessive need to acquire and keep things even if the items are worthless, hazardous or unsanitary."  Some of the hoarders have had some circumstance in their life that triggered their disorder.  I was amazed that some of the homes had gotten to the point that they were uninhabitable.  The hoarders are embarrassed and overwhelmed.  Most of the houses had gotten so bad that the hoarders had no clue where to start and seemed hopeless.  Some of the hoarders did not realize that they had a problem.  Families had been torn apart by the hoarding.  The only way for a compulsive hoarder to change is through therapy.  It was so easy for me to be judgmental and disgusted.  But like I said my heart was broken.

The Holy Spirit began to whisper that we as Christians can be hoarders too.  What?  Did I hear you correctly Lord?  While we may not hoard possessions we can sometimes hoard our emotions.

  • We hoard forgiveness when we fail to extend it to someone who might have wronged us. 
  • We hoard mercy when we fail to show compassion to others.
  • We hoard patience when we are easily annoyed by others.
  • We hoard joy when we let our circumstances dictate how we feel.
When we hang on to these things instead of sharing them with others we are basically hoarding Jesus!  Jesus paid too high a price for us to keep Him too ourselves.  I don't want to be a hoarder.  How about you?
    Cindy Sig 2

    10 comments:

    Karen Hossink said...

    *gulp*
    I've never looked at things this way - hoarding patience? HE is speaking through you, sister. Thanks!

    Marilyn in Mississippi said...

    Cindy, this was just what I needed to read today! I don't want to be a spiritual "hoarder" and keep to myself all the blessings God has given me!

    Thanks!

    Marilyn...in Mississippi

    Leah Adams said...

    Get thee off my toes!!! Ouch!

    Leah

    Lora said...

    I heard BooMama talk about Hoarders once and *had* to look it up on the computer and watch...me.oh.my.

    The spiritual parallel spoke to me Cindy - I had never thought to look at it this way.

    Bless you dear.

    fuzzytop said...

    I need to 'fess up - I'm guilty of that patience hoarding.... Not good. Thanks for sharing your insight.

    Hugs,
    Adrienne

    Alene said...

    Beautiful post. As I've stepped out to minister in the inner part of my city, I've realized we Christians do hoard soooo much. We have clothes that just set in our clothes unused, we have food in our pantries for months, etc. God is really convicting me in this area. Thanks for sharing.

    Williams Arena said...

    Wow! Powerful thoughts. I think you nailed it right on spot because I can be a spiritual hoarder. I never thought of it that way but I am guilty. I'm with Leah...my toes just got smashed.

    LisaShaw said...

    Great message Cindy!!!

    I have seen that program and it broke my heart. The example you used as Christians is such a good reminder to us!

    Love and blessings!

    ELL said...

    I love what you shared about hoarding. God showed me kind of like what he showed you. Several months ago our small town had a flood, a bad one. Some of the victims put there damaged furniture out to the curb but soon the city announced that it would be picking up all trash for free. All of a sudden there was everything and anything sitting on the side of the road for pickup (obviously, more then the flood victims had brought out their trash). Everyday people live with junk in their hearts and lives but they don't know how to get rid of it or they don't have the means. They need to know Jesus will come by and pick it up for free.

    Thanks for your thoughts...

    ELL said...

    I left a long comment, hope that is OK?

    I have a poetry blog and I would love for you to check it out: poetrybyell.blogspot.com

    Thanks for giving me insight into my life.