Four scriptures to help you start your morning right

For most of us, our mornings are where our good intentions come to die.

Just before we sleep, we are brimming with optimism on all we will accomplish the next day. We tell ourselves we will wake up with the sun, spend quality time with God, and prepare for the day – in an unhurried and peaceful way.

But when those rays start filtering through our blinds our well-intentioned plans flitter away.

Waking up becomes a herculean task.

We get into a full-out war with our alarm clocks secretly wishing we could destroy it forever. And when we do wake up, we don’t get up like normal people. We levitate.

Eyes half-closed shuffling through our morning like a drunken sailor.

We conclude that we couldn’t have slept more than 2 hours (even though it was closer to 7). The shower is a rude awakening, and morning prayers are mumbled through with guilt and promises to do better.

The reality is that these strings of sequences repeat themselves more often than we had like. In case you were wondering how I know these so well; you can be sure that I have lived it.

 

Streamlining your thoughts improves your day

When we wake up (or at least one of the many times we wake up – I’m judging your snoozing skills), one of the first things we do is think. This is a no-brainer, right?

Our minds are constantly in motion with thousands of thoughts filtering through. And many times, when we wake up groggily our thoughts are not positive.

In effect, the real battle to tackling each day starts with tackling our thoughts.

It is about streamlining our morning thoughts and making sure that they are aligned with what matters to us.

I recently came across this idea of morning thoughts while reading a devotional by Kimberley Washington. She talked about how focusing on certain thoughts and scriptures helped her define and improve her day. I decided to try this out on one of those hard mornings, where you find yourself unable to go back to sleep and unable to get up. During such days, I would usually toss and turn for about an hour before finally leaving the bed.

 

How to define your morning thoughts

On this particular day, I decided to redefine my morning thoughts.

While still on my bed, with the covers strewn over me and my hand over my eyes to shield the light, I focused on four scriptures that have guided me, over the last few years.

I didn’t just quote them and expect to jump out of bed like some genie in a lamp but took time to think about each verse – the words, the meaning, and God’s power.

This made a huge difference and I realized that I had to share it with you. I understand that you may have other scriptures God has used to empower you. Use those, where possible. Even if it’s just one verse or one word…use it!

 

Four scriptures for a productive morning

Here are four scriptures to help you streamline your morning thoughts, and create room for a productive day

 

1. God has plans for you

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

God has plans for every day of your life. This includes your morning, noon, and night. Speaking this truth into your mornings can help redirect your focus from your many to-dos to the bigger picture – God’s picture.

 

2. Things will work out by His Grace

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans 8:28(NLT)

I can’t tell you how many times this verse has quieted the negative thoughts warring through my mind. Like most humans, we often spend an untold amount of time focusing on our regrets and mistakes.

We beat ourselves up and are caught up in waves of negativity. But all that can change, and does change, when we lovingly let go (of our need for control) and let God in. He alone is able to weave a beautiful story from the mess.

 

3. He will provide for all your needs

“So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”

Matthew 6:33(TPT)

I love how this version defines everything, other than the kingdom of God, as ‘less important.’

There have been times when my first thought in the morning was on the state of my finances. Anyone who has gone through financial difficulties knows how debilitating this can be. It makes you feel impotent but thank God for His word. I think we often forget that it is God who gives wealth (wealth that lasts), and all good gifts.

I pray we are secure in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide for us, in His own time and His own way.

 

4. You can do nothing meaningful without Him

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5(NIV)

I came across this life-changing verse 3 years ago, and since then I remind myself that I am nothing without God. This is not some nice-sounding phrase we say as part of Church services, but our Lord and Saviour’s words.

I think it is humbling to accept and welcome the fact that, on our own, we are often fumbling and bumbling idiots (ouch!).

We perennially need God, and we are beyond lucky that He is always there.

Conclusion – you can change the course of your day

It is clear that our mornings are an important part of our day, since the way we start our mornings often dictates the rest of the day.

However, I need to remind you that as children of grace, our quest is not for perfection but for connection. I believe what really makes a day fruitful is when we hand it over to God (and leave it in His hands).

It is when we trust and are secure in the realization that nothing takes God by surprise and that He is able to do more than we can ask or imagine.

Having this sense of consciousness throughout our day can take it from a mediocre day to a grace-filled moment in our lives.

Whatever happens, I hope you do not limit God and you always remember that only God can do the impossible.