The Declutter Devotional: Biblical Inspiration for Making Room for What Matters

by Carey Scott

Genres: Christian

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[Paula Sena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for this ARC.

I expected a little more, to be honest. It's a good devotional book, but it felt a bit shallow in the bigger picture. I was hoping for more depth in the reflections, and sometimes the prayers were too short. Overall, it's a good book. Maybe the problem was my expectations, not the book itself. I still think this book can help people. Maybe it just wasn't for me.

[Julia Shelburne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This devotional focuses on Christian living. Each devotional includes a few verses, about two paragraphs about the passage and its application, and a short prayer. The “declutter” title involves decluttering worries, self-reliance, and perfectionism, for example. I found the book quite repetitive and surface-level. The author did not offer anecdotes, which I do not mind, but I felt that it made the consistent use of “friend” to address the reader seem forced. I also realized I prefer numbers or days denoting progress at the top of devotionals; this book will require a bookmark. While this was not for me, I hope it falls into the hands of women who need to hear about God’s daily provision and grace.

Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Declutter Devotional - Biblical Inspiration for Making Room for What Matters by Carey Scott is the ideal way to begin your day. It is so easy to let the world clutter our hearts with the wrong things. In this devotional , readers are guided to focus on themes such as simplifying their lives, prioritizing their spiritual growth, and finding peace amidst chaos. Each day provides a scriptural reflection that encourages letting go of material distractions and embracing what truly matters. Through this journey, individuals learn to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and align their daily actions with their faith.

In the book, you will find daily devotionals like the one below.

Letting Peace Prevail - "If you let it, today's verse will help to settle your anxious heart. It will remind you that God is in control, without fail. It will bring a sense of calm into your chaotic day. But it requires you to grab hold of this beautiful truth and give your day to Him through prayer. As women, we regularly pile too much on our plate of responsibility. Our to-do list becomes a novel-length inventory of chores that no mere mortal can complete in a day. And we're guilty of filling our schedule to the brim in an effort to keep up. No wonder we battle anxiety and worry! We wake each morning already set up for failure. But know that God operates through order is a blessing for us! It means we start our day in prayer, asking Him to order our steps correctly. We let Him prioritize what matters most, even if some things don't make the day's list. We adopt His pace and cadence rather than rush around in a frenzy. And as we let God lead our waking hours, peace will prevail." Each devotional ends with a prayer. This devotional comes from I Corinthians 14:33 which says, "God is not a God of disorder but a God of peace."

Through prayer, individuals can express their worries and concerns to God, which reduces anxiety feelings. By entrusting their burdens to God above, they find reassurance and comfort, knowing they are not alone in their struggles. This daily time helps create a sense of calm and order in our lives, allowing us to navigate daily challenges with a peaceful heart.

There is no doubt that this devotional is worth your time.

[Another_Book_to_Ponder · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off… This Is A Devotional!

If you are looking for instructions or a list of steps to take to declutter that is NOT what I felt this book is.

What will this book have for you? It will have a short devotional that you can do before you tackle your day that will give you some thought provoking things to ponder. A verse to memorize? A prayer to start your day with and maybe some time with God to start working on your heart and life to begin your journey to a less cluttered life. Also, possibly reflecting enough to start to get to the core of your clutter. 

When I began to read the first day devotional… I have to admit I felt judged. Some of the scripture is out of context and definitely used to be convicting. I think part of how I felt is a knee jerk reaction to my clutter. I have deep emotions regarding it. Everyday I begin to tackle an area or a pile I struggle. Mine is not greed related it’s more memories and sentimental mixed in with things my adult kids left behind and a few… I can use that again someday. I am more mindful of what I buy these days. 

Sometimes I have good days where I accomplish a lot. Other I have bad days where it’s all I can do to just maintain the areas I’ve already worked on. It is an everyday battle. I can only hope I will be done in the near future and be thankful for how God has worked with me through it and allowed me to grow in many ways. 

I feel this book has a purpose in bringing thoughtfulness to your day, your struggle with clutter and most of all your relationship with God.

I especially loved the prayers…

[Psusan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Declutter Devotional - Biblical Inspiration for Making Room for What Matters by Carey Scott is just what it states, uncluttering our lives. I think many may think that this is a book to help one clean out their home of so much stuff. That may happen as you read these simple devotionals that concern our minds, emotions and hearts in this life. As we clear our minds of anxiety and worry, trying to fill our time with too many activities and thinking that more is better than we have room to see that God is enough. He is the giver of peace, the One who helps us in our struggles and the One who helps give victory.

I liked how the focus was on pleasing Jesus instead of people, looking to Him. There is a scripture verse, a short devotional and a prayer for each day. I found that as I cleaned out my mind, it made it easier to put my environment in proper perspective, so I was in the mindset to unclutter it too. Not your average declutter your home or simplify your environment book. Much more about uncluttering your heart which is where I needed to start.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, The Declutter Devotional by Carey Scott was a pretty good devotional but the name and description is a bit misleading. Although the author does touch a few times on decluttering our homes so we aren’t fixated on material things, the majority is focused on topics such as “decluttering unrealistic expectations.” The Bible version references were a bit odd to me as I am used to KJV, NKJV, ESV, etc. I was not familiar with the majority of the versions used to quote each devotional. In addition to a short daily devotional, there was a related Bible verse and prayer included.
I thought the author wrote some interesting devotionals that touched on a number of subjects centered around making God the center and focus of your life.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book.

[Lauren Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice, scripture-based devotional. Each entry is thoughtful reflection on a passage of scripture. This is definitely a "why do" not a "how to" book. The author does not give tips, tricks, or instructions for decluttering, cleaning, or organizing. Rather each entry helps the reader cultivate a mindset, prioritizing what is truly important. This book would be a supportive, bible-based companion for anyone on a decluttering journey. It would work well as part of a morning prayer practice and alongside the "how to" books.

ARC from NetGalley

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This devotional is a quick, easy read in the morning to help frame your perspective for the rest of the day. I enjoyed the overall message of decluttering our homes and the importance of decluttering our minds and hearts from things of this world and to keep Christ at the center of our lives. This devotional was fairly surface level, but there are good reminders and encouragements within. I also believe this would have been better if it was just a 30 day devotional as it did feel a bit repetitive.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the advanced copy.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daily bible verses and talk about how each one helps you to remember things like letting go of possessions and to work harder, not smarter. It quickly felt redundant to me. Green clip art illustrations. It specifically addresses women, assuming I suppose that women are the only ones doing housekeeping and needing to declutter. This will probably be a better fit as a devotional than an actually useful declutterring book.

I read a digital version of this book for review purposes.

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title is slightly misleading. This isn't a book about organization, rather about focusing on what's most important and letting the other things fall aside.

Each section was incredibly short which was easy to read but they didn't go as deep as I had anticipated or hoped. Overall, I would have appreciated more in depth study sprinkled into the encouraging devotions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

These daily devotions are very short. Each one begins with a Bible verse, followed by a short story to go with it, then a one sentence prayer.

I didn’t find this to be as rich with inspiration as other devotions I have read. However, if you’re looking for a very quick daily read, then you might enjoy this.

Thanks to @netgalley and @barbourbooks for providing me with this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Texastwang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I found this devotional. It's informative, uplifting, and really digs in there especially for this moment. I have enjoyed this devotional so much I'm planning on giving them away as gifts on mother's day.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting, surface deep devotional. There is nothing stretching here or anything revolutionary. I was hoping for more of the declutter ideology- I think it would an interesting mixture with scripture. However, this missed the mark.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an advance copy from netgalley. thanks! I love a daily devotional. This one seems a little niche, but I still have enjoyed a reminder every day of what's important, and a short glimpse into the importance of today.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This devotional does not span a full year which means the entries are not numbered or dated. Each devotion contains a biblical quote, explanation/discussion and a short prayer. Both New and Old Testament are included and an index is included.

[Tina Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains short devotionals for each day. This book contains scripture to go along with each devotional. This book was okay but not the best devotional I’ve read.