Throw out the old

Throw Out the Old

Scripture Focus:
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
— Ephesians 4:22–24 (NIV)

Devotional Thought

I’ll never forget the day I looked into my closet and saw nothing but navy, black, and gray. Not a single splash of color. That was the moment I realized—my outer world was reflecting my inner world. I had been walking through such a dark season, and I didn’t even recognize how much it was showing up in the choices I made, even in the clothes I wore.

It wasn’t long after that realization that I knew something had to change—and that something was me.

I remember standing in my closet, pulling out handfuls of dark clothes. It wasn’t about fashion. It was about freedom. I still had more than I needed, but when I went shopping next, I made a conscious decision to choose color—pink, purple, blue—anything that represented joy, peace, and life.

It was harder than I expected. Those colors represented things I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in a long time. But it was a start.

You see, I had been living in a cave—not a physical one, but an emotional and spiritual cave, created by years of pain, fear, and survival. I had accepted the cave as my home, my normal. But God never intended for me to live there.

Adding color back into my life became a small act of rebellion against the darkness. A small declaration that I would no longer agree with hopelessness. It was a step toward healing, toward light, and ultimately, toward Christ.

That was years ago. But recently, I’ve felt the pull back toward that cave—the comfort zone. The old mindset. The emotional numbness. And if I’m being honest, stepping out of the cave still takes courage.

But we’re not called to live in the dark.

We’re called to put off the old self, and put on the new self—one that reflects Jesus. And sometimes, that journey begins with something small... like choosing color.

Looking Back: Reflection Points

  • Darkness doesn’t always show up in obvious ways—it can sneak into our habits, choices, and even our wardrobes.

  • We often settle for emotional “caves” because they feel familiar, but familiarity isn’t the same as freedom.

  • Healing doesn’t always begin with something big. Sometimes, it starts with a small, intentional step forward.

Questions to Ask Yourself

  1. What are the “dark clothes” in my life—habits, thoughts, or behaviors—that reflect where I’ve been, not where God is calling me?

  2. Have I accepted a “cave” mindset as normal? If so, what’s one step I can take to move toward the light?

  3. What is one small, tangible thing I can do this week to reflect the “new self” God is creating in me?

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You never leave me in the dark. Thank You for calling me out of the cave and into Your marvelous light. Help me to recognize the areas where I’ve settled for less than what You have for me. Give me the courage to throw out the old, and to embrace the new life You offer—one full of color, joy, and hope. In Jesus’ name,  Amen

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