Have you ever noticed that some days just seem to go better than others? For me, there is always one thing that determines the outcome of my day....my attitude and mindset as I start my day in the morning. Maybe it sounds crazy, but I have learned that if I do two things as soon as I am up and moving in the morning, my day just seems to be better...
I'm a planner and like to organize my days. As I get older, I am more adaptable to changes in my routine and don't let the changes disrupt my flow like I used to. What I've realized is that when I consistently start my day doing these two specific things, every day seems to be smooth. In fact, I can pinpoint the days that are not-so-great simply by acknowledging that I failed to do these two things.
After I wake up and start moving, I make a cup of tea and sit down at my desk. At this time, it is usually very quiet in my house. I am always the first one up and I really enjoy this quiet time. This is when I start the best part of my day...with the Lord.
The first thing I do is take out my prayer journal (to see my prayer journal click: How to Create an Awesome Prayer Journal) and write down what I intend to pray about. (If you are unsure how to pray, see my post: How to Pray: The Model of All Prayers).
First of all, I always thank God for the blessings that He has given me, including the gifts of His Son and Holy Spirit and I want to acknowledge Him as sovereign. Then I list the people and situations that are on my heart so that I don't forget any of them.
During this morning prayer I also like to pray Ephesians 6:13-17 to help protect me throughout the day:
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (NKJV)
Putting on the armor of God is the best way to guard yourself against the schemes of the devil. When you are protected in God's armor, you are able to let the small things slide and not build into bigger things.
After I finish my morning prayer, I study the Word of God. Not only does this set a positive tone for the day, but it connects me to the One who created me. For me, the more I read and study the Bible, the more intimate my relationship with God grows. Not only that, as I grow to know God more and more, I realize just how awesome He truly is.
No matter what is going on in your life, you can always rest in God's promises. These promises are contained between the covers of your Bible. When you open your Bible, read it like it is personally written to you and for you...because it is. It doesn't matter how many times I may read a certain verse, chapter or book, I always see something new that God wants me to see and sometimes in a completely differently way than I saw the first time I read it. In other words, I can apply the lesson to a specific area of my life. It is absolutely amazing!!
I suggest finding a Bible reading plan that you can stick to. If it's one verse or chapter per day, a daily devotional, or an in-depth study, doesn't matter... Just get into the Word of God. Absorb it.
The Word of God "is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword..." (Hebrews 4:12), it truly is "the sword of the Spirit." The Bible contains every instruction you need to to live your life - it is GOD speaking to you.
If you find that you don't have a lot of time on your hands, wake a little earlier and give God the first part of your morning. Thank Him and praise Him for all He does for you. Tell Him what's on your heart. Tell Him your needs and desires. Ask Him to place you in His will each and every day. Then, open His Word and seek Him and His direction.
If you start each day doing these two things, I promise you will see things differently. The peace that comes only from Him will begin to saturate your heart and help you face each and every challenge or disruption with ease and contentment.
Blessings,
Amy