Are you a neat freak? If so, you may have a hard time with the concept that messy is okay. Unfortunately, without messiness and discomfort, good things rarely come to fruition. Moving beyond mess is a process that can be daunting to those of us who don’t want to face it in the first place, but it is inevitably part of the landscape on the road to abundant life.

Take spring cleaning, for example. I guarantee that when you are in the midst of a major tidying up or cleaning out project, the landscape gets a lot worse before it gets better. For at least a short period of time, there will be stuff strewn everywhere, and from an outsider’s perspective, it will look worse than it did before you started. However, as you clean, you can remain at peace because you know where you’re headed and you understand that mess is an important part of the forward-motion required to get to where you want to be. The same analogy rings true in other parts of your life. Yes, it will be messy to re-establish a relationship with an estranged child. Yes, it will be uncomfortable and daunting to confess something to your spouse, but the rewards of choosing to take action when the Holy Spirit leads will ultimatley outweigh the pain. Facing reality and walking in truth, especially when they have been hidden, is always uncertain, but it’s the right way because it’s God’s way. This is why the Bible says that if you don’t have oxen, although you may have a clean barn, you won’t have a harvest. Bringing forth crops means the trough will be dirty, but the mess is always worth it in the end!

Friend, facing the mess is part of being blessed! Whatever obstacle you perceive, even if it’s a secret or something that’s been dormant or in the dark for years, I encourage you to embrace the pain for your greater gain. It may be a long road, but if it ultimately leads to growth and the fulfillment of your dreams, it’s the right one. Don’t shy away or turn back when the going gets hard; rather, invite Jesus into the middle of the mire and His peace will meet you there and pull you out. Isn’t that wonderful news?