Article March 15, 1982 Issue

Let go of mental encumbrances

BARBARA JUERGENS FOX

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ... a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away,"^{Eccl. 3:1, 6.} Ecclesiastes tells us.

Traditionally, spring is the time for cleaning cellars and attics (if anyone still has them). The season for mental housecleaning, however, isn't keyed to the vernal equinox or any other date. It's a daily duty and opportunity—continuous and ongoing.

Paul clearly knew what to keep and what to let go. He advised, "Hold fast that which is good."^{I Thess. 5:21.} Also, "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."^{Heb. 12:1.} In James Moffatt's translation, the opening words of this verse read, "We must strip off every handicap, strip off sin with its clinging folds."