This was our first summer on the east coast. I am having a blast setting up our new home. The previous owner loved her some yellow. To repaint the entire house would blow our budget. So… I’ve adapted and fallen in love with our yellow walls. In fact, here is my office. This is where I do most of my praying and writing. I think the sunlight reflecting off the bright walls is giving me a tan as I sit in here everyday. Score.
Being surrounded by all of this yellow has me thinking about the power and persuasion of color. It not only affects how our home feels, but color affects how we feel. God created us to be visual beings and to be moved by what we see. So I thought it would be fun to look at the colors that trended over the summer and how they can be a part of your home and your heart.
This first color that is trending is: white.
This probably isn’t a shocker as Pinterest and Instagram are filled with images of all white living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. I think they are gorgeous for the color white is crisp and clean. But let’s be honest, it takes a lot of work and perfectly behaved children to keep white walls and furniture looking clean, amen?
*Photo courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens
The color white is also the most mentioned color in the New Testament, trailing behind blue and red for the most mentions in the Old Testament. Most of us tend to associate the color white with cleanliness, innocence, or honesty. Throughout the Bible, white symbolizes:
- righteousness (Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:3, Revelation 1:12 – 14, 6:11, 20:11)
- purity (Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18)
- and holiness (Mark 16:5, John 20:12, Acts 1:10, Revelation 4:4, 19:14).
So let’s take a minute to take a peak inside of your heart. See any white in there? Is there anything “trending” in your heart that is righteous, pure, or holy? When I look inside my own heart I see some red and green. Mercy. I need more white in my heart and perhaps you need some in yours too.
Two things you can do to add white into your heart:
- Confess and ask God to pass His can of white. Do you try to be pure and holy by your own means and on your own strength? Or do you ask God daily to fill you with His holiness and purity? For our God IS pure, holy, and righteous. If you or I need more white in our hearts, we need more of God in our lives. Confess whatever isn’t pure, loving, true, or kind in your heart. Ask God for help for He is more than able and willing to repaint over the green or red in your heart with the crispness and cleanliness of His holiness (Psalm 103:11-12, 1 John 1:9).
- Guard your heart and renew your mind. Be careful what you allow your eyes to see and read, for much of what is in the world isn’t pure, edifying, or true. The only way to discern if what you are looking at or listening to is creating white within your heart is to run it through the filter of Scripture. The more we learn and obey biblical teaching, the more our hearts will become righteous, holy, and pure. (Psalm 119:9-11, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4: 8-9).
To add white in your home:
Lastly, how can you add some white into your home? Besides painting your walls white or refinishing your kitchen cabinets in white paint, here are some fun and affordable accessories to also consider that bring a pop of white into your home. Btw, I love me a bargain. Home furnishings do not have to have a designer label to be beautiful and functional.
I am digging this rug and lamp from Target.com:
And this lovely pillow and artwork from Joss & Main.com:
The possibilities are endless. It just has to be YOU. Happy hunting and feel free to email or Instagram/Facebook message me any pictures of your “white space” or favorite “white accessories” so I can celebrate with you. A girl cannot keep a good find to herself….
Let me pray for your home and heart before you go:
Father God, we come before you in need of some white within our heart and within the hearts of those in our home. Forgive us for wandering away from You and from how You ask us to think and live. We ask for more of your holiness, honesty, and purity to fill us. Redesign our hearts and homes so that they are reflections of who you are. Help us to be slow to speak, so that our words edify others and honor You. Help us guard our minds and our eyes. Fill them with things that enrich our spirits and glorify You. Renew our minds and create a good and steadfast spirit within us. We love You. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Got paint?
If you haven’t signed up to receive my newsletter yet, please take a second to do so. I would love to pray with you and send some additional encouragement straight into your inbox. Since this blog series is all about color, I am doing random drawings and sending literal cans of paint to a few subscribers, because… why not? Woot! Sometimes our walls just need a fresh coat of paint, amen? 🙂
Love this, Tracy! Don’t you think it would make a good Moving Makeover at JustMoved.org? https://justmoved.org/encouragement-for-uprooted/makeover/ It addresses the practical as well as the spiritual. Perfect!
Oh that would be so fun, Ann. I would love to share it. Just send me an email and let’s set something up. Blessings to you and I hope you are well!
Oh my goodness! This was such a blessing and encouragement. I love this color analogy! We are getting settled in our new home as well. Unlike yours, the previous owner left for us some wallpaper and plenty of white that looks so dead. Have you ever seen dead white? It’s hard to discribe… Needless to say, after hours of searching, praying and multiple trips to Sherwin-Williams I have a collection of various shades of… wait for it… WHITE 🙂 OK, so that’s for the house. Looking deeper into my soul got me thinking too… shades of white, hm.
P.S. I can’t believe I wasn’t subscribed to your newsletter. I am on it now, friend 😉
Hi Sandra! Yes, I know the “dead white” you speak of. Blah. Paint over it my friend 🙂 I hope you are settling into your new home. And thanks for subscribing. I pray your heart is encouraged. Blessings to you.