Scripture to Memorize
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
Proverbs 31:22–23
Passage to Read
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
Hebrews 12:1–2
Guided Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the great cloud of witnesses, those saints who have gone before who cheer me on toward the finish line. Thank you for preserving their stories in your Word and in Christian biographies, so I can be encouraged and challenged by their examples. I want to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles so that I, too, can run with perseverance the race marked out for me. Today I fix my eyes on you, Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Thank you for running your race so faithfully even though it meant death on the cross. Help me today, Holy Spirit, to take up my cross and follow after Jesus. Amen.
Personal
We need to throw off everything that hinders us from becoming the women God has called us to be. Therefore, the purge continues! Gather up every ounce of hair care products, skin care products, and makeup you own. If you bought it more than a year ago, throw it out. If it’s 90 percent empty, throw it out. If you don’t use it, throw it out. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: price isn’t a factor. Even if you bought it at the Estée Lauder counter, if you don’t use it or it doesn’t look sensational on you, throw it out. Speaking of Estée Lauder—and Clinique and every other makeup counter in the mall—rid yourself of all the “gift with purchase” items you’ve acquired but never use. I know how warm and fuzzy you felt when they handed you that free container with thirty shades of eye shadow, but since you don’t wear any of them, throw it out. And by the way, how many makeup cases do you need? When I did my makeup-counter purge, I gave away five of them.
Next, accessories. We’re talking purses, belts, hats, scarves, and so on. You know the drill by now. If you never wear it, give it away. Apply the 80/20 rule (if you haven’t done so already) and get rid of the 80 percent you wear only 20 percent of the time.
Finally, jewelry. We’re getting ruthless now. Even if your mom gave it to you, even if your five-year-old made it for you, even if you bought it on your honeymoon in Tahiti, if you don’t wear it, it’s got to go. Now, if you can’t put it in the trash can, I completely understand. Create a storage bin labeled NOSTALGIA and put it in there. And, yes, I have one of those bins!
When you purchase jewelry in the future, remember that the Proverbs 31 woman wore fine linen and that God adorned the Israelites with the purest gold. You might consider spending more money on a few quality pieces of jewelry rather than filling a giant jewelry box with low-cost pieces. If you are serious about simplifying your life, give away the 80 percent of your jewelry you almost never wear. Definitely get rid of anything that goes with only one outfit. Surely you can find something else that also works with that outfit. It might not match quite as perfectly, but remember: perfection is often the enemy of peace. Less is more.
Affirmation: I am clothed in fine linen and purple.
Purge your accessories and personal care items. Once again, if you are part of a group, you can organize an accessory exchange night. I’ve done it, and not only is it lots of fun, it’s much simpler than the clothing exchange.