“The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.” Psalm 29:10-11 (NLT)
The Carolina clay has housed our family roots for over a decade now, but before settling here, we moved many times over many years.
Those moves lent opportunities to shed excess belongings, yet as we settled into long-term living, I began to sense an unexpected weight of weariness. With a growing family and without frequent moves forcing fresh starts, I felt overwhelmed by the accumulated stuff of life and the stress of tidying around it.
I’d spend all my energy managing simple, daily home maintenance, then collapse into bed each night, sinking into the floodwaters of inadequacy. Feelings of failure, weakness, and regret stole my peace. Yet I had no idea how to change my situation.
One evening, as I searched Scripture for a hint of calm in the chaos, God brought me to Psalm 29. David wrote this psalm while watching a storm rise above the Mediterranean Sea.
I felt like I was swirling in my own personal storm, and these words spoke hope and comfort to my weary soul: “The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace” (Psalm 29:10-11).
God reminded me that He rules over every storm, offering His strength and peace in the midst. Even if life is swirling and creating whirlwinds of chaos in our home, there is hope! God is more than able to meet us where we are.
I prayed for the wisdom to set boundaries and the freedom to let go of clutter that no longer served my family. And one small step at a time, I began moving toward a life of less stuff and more peace.
Here are five practical suggestions and scriptures to tuck into your heart as you seek to declutter and restore order in your home:
Lay your struggles bare before God. Ask Him to guide you toward His best for your household. “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:5, NIV).
If you live with others, brainstorm ways you can work together toward balance. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, NLT).
Don’t discount the big difference that small efforts can make. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin …” (Zechariah 4:10a, NLT).
Consider how much stuff you want to manage, and donate the rest to someone who needs it “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had” (Acts 4:32, NLT).
Don’t let one difficult day derail your progress. Accept God’s grace for the process. “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:23, NLT).
Sweet friend, your desire for a manageable home is a worthy desire. Today is a great day to begin again and, one step at a time, with God, create the calm your heart craves for your home.
Dear Lord, please quiet the chaos of my environment and help me create calm and order in my home. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
How do you find the words to pray when your heart is carrying far more than you know how to express? And what do you do when you want to spend time with the Lord … but the moment you sit still, distraction rushes in? Tune in to The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast to hear a brand-new message from our President, Lysa TerKeurst, as she shares that prayer doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful. Listen in here.
For more encouragement, connect with Brenda Bradford Ottinger at her website.
Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (NIV).
What small step can you take today to bring more order and peace to your home? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Brenda Bradford Ottinger. All rights reserved.
What We Believe
If your life feels too overwhelming, click here for our care and counseling resources.
Join the Conversation