Take Back Your Mornings

What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning?

When your alarm goes off (or the kids wake you up too early), and you realize it’s morning already, what floods your mind? Do you think about the previous day? A difficult relationship? Conflict with a loved one? That mistake you wish you could erase? Maybe a recent disappointment?

Do your thoughts turn to the day ahead? The burdens? The needs of those depending on you?A to do list that is more massive than the day is long? An important meeting? An unknown outcome?

For myself, when I allow my “crack of dawn” thoughts to come shooting out, without first turning my heart to God, it’s not a good scene. They often bring along worry and angst. Which then go looking for a their best friend, self-reliance. Who is totally ready with a plan of attack on the day ahead. Having a plan is not bad, it’s just not complete. Little miss over-planner loves control. Unfortunately, she sets me up for independence from God and a burden He never intended for me to carry. This way of waking leads to an unhealthy and unrealistic mindset for living out our days.

In a world gone haywire, our circumstances can feel unraveled. And maybe they are. BUT GOD is still ruling the day. AND WE can have a healthier and more Biblical way of looking at our circumstances. You know what comes along with that? An unfettered morning mindset.

AND peace!

Many of us have experienced loss. BUT… All is not lost. No matter our circumstances.

God’s love and tender care for you and I does not change, run out, or expire. Like ever.

Psalm 136 is an entire chapter in the Bible bringing the truth of God’s love. Here’s a little slice…

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.

Psalm 136: 1, 4-6

Take that truth sister! And overlay it onto your life. Your uncertain, upside down, not-as-planned life.

Not unlike you and I, a group of unlikely Jesus followers faced an ancient world about to turn on its head. Jesus said this to them.

““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 1:27 NLT

We can take back our mornings my friend. Waking up with a fresh new vantage point. Thinking first on things that will bring life and power and perspective. Standing on who God is… in order to view our situation.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:1-2 ESV

The next time you’re tempted to allow your circumstances to rule the day, turn it around. Allow God to tell you about your circumstances and remind you of His love and faithfulness.

Jesus knew the world would come at us. If you are a living breathing human, then you have or will experience the pain of betrayal, the weight of responsibilities, and the confusion of which direction to head. Lovingly, God gave us the gift of His spirit. So that in the dark, defeated, or discouraged places of our soul, (or even the annoying) we would not be alone. We don’t have to muster our own hope, we just need to turn our attention to God.

Friends, when our circumstances attempt to hijack our day, we can put down the worry, AND whatever empty way of escape we reach for… maybe it’s our phone, facebook, food, or a full on fit. Our strategically scheduled days or well-planned to do lists will not keep us free from fear and anxiety.

Instead, let’s take a grown up time out.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Chose to speak truth to your own soul

• ASK God to breathe life into what feels defeated.
• SEEK God’s word above the enemy’s toxic talk.
• SIT with the God who loves you in the midst of your mess.

For a great place to start the above morning practices… check out the First 15 daily devo (there’s an app for that too).

Also, if you’re in the “Help! My feelings have a mind of their own” camp, then read this post for tangible ways to wrangle our toxic self-talk.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;^[b]

    his mercies never come to an end;

²³ they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

    “therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV

We have a hope to hold on to. A comforter to call out to. And truth to transform our hearts.

Sister, no matter what temptation, struggle or enemy we face, let’s ask God to show up with new mercies for our mornings!

XOXO,