I used to rush into every day, overwhelmed. Then I started a simple morning rhythm rooted in thankfulness — and it quietly changed everything.
First thing, before I get out of bed, I say a gratitude prayer. Thanking God for this new day and all He has graciously given us. Stretch and get out of bed. Make a cup of coffee and head outside with our dog, barefoot, and sit on the steps or on the ground, reflect, and pray for a few minutes. Enjoying the sounds of the birds singing, watching the sunrise, and laughing at the dog chasing his ball. As the warm sunlight hits my face, I’m reminded that God is so good. The abundant blessings given are humbling. A shift in mindset from the hustle and bustle of life to calm, prayerful mornings has been a gift.
I understand that not everyone can start their day by going outside and sitting for a few minutes. However, you can get up 20 minutes early, start the day with a gratitude prayer, reflecting, and enjoying the calm, stillness of that moment. Start with 5 or 10 minutes, pray a minute or two, and sit in the stillness of His presence. It takes daily practice. Some might argue hourly. I would agree. I say “practice makes permanent… not perfect” because we are not perfect people. We can practice the wrong thing, which can become permanent, making it difficult to change or unlearn.
Be on guard for the spiritual warfare that is about to come. See, the enemy is perfectly fine with us being sideline Christians, meaning going to church on Sunday mornings and not giving much thought or prayer time to God the rest of the week. However, when we choose to honor God first, the enemy’s attacks are stronger. We need to hold fast to God’s word more than before. Practice scripture, write the word on your heart, and look up scripture to help you fight off the spiritual warfare. Just as Jesus did when he was tempted after his 40-day fasting, He used scripture to fight back. You can too!
" Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me. Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
Matthew 4: 1-11 (NKJV)
If we claim to be followers of Christ, shouldn’t we strive to be like Him? Jesus quotes scripture, and so should we. The first temptation, in Matthew 4:4, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. The second temptation, in Matthew 4:7, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16. The third temptation, in Matthew 4:10, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13. I highly recommend taking a moment to look those up, meditate on them, and memorise them. Guess what, did you notice that our enemy also knows scripture? He misquotes Psalm 91:11-12. This is what the bible says in Psalm 91:11-12, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” The original Psalm promises protection in God’s path, but the devil twists it to encourage testing of God. Similarly to when he misquoted scripture when tempting Adam and Eve. We should learn scripture, write it on our hearts, so we know that we know it. Writing it on our hearts is not literal. This means memorizing, meditating on, and internalizing God’s Word so it shapes our thoughts, actions, and character. It involves active engagement, such as writing verses by hand, reading, and reciting, to transform our minds, combat anxiety, and provide spiritual strength and growth. Here are a few powerful verses to memorize and meditate on.
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3: 3-6(NKJV)
" Psalms 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."
Psalms 119:11 (NKJV)
" “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath."
Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV)
Read this story about the woman caught in adultery (sin) and how Jesus handled this situation.
" John 8: 1-12, But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now, early in the morning, He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do you say?” This, they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest: even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”"
John 8: 1-12 (NKJV)
What a beautiful picture of the grace and mercy that Jesus extends to this woman and to us. Ultimately, sin is what separates us from God. When we use scripture against the enemy attacks, and he will, we can know that God shields us with His love, mercy, grace, and protection. But we have to be the ones to come to Him, to humble ourselves, pray, and seek Him.
Will daily meditation and prayer solve all the problems we face? NO. In fact, Jesus said that the road will be narrow and hard; they hated Him first, therefore, they will hate you too. I pray this encourages you to tell you my faith has grown exponentially, and I have an easier time using scripture to combat the attacks from our enemy. I don’t get so worked up when I’m wronged. I’ve learned through reading scripture that, when it comes to certain things, it’s just best to keep my mouth shut and give it to God. Especially the things I can not control, like other people’s harsh words, lies, or disrespect. I am not the judge; Jesus is. I have an easier time letting go, forgiving, and giving that to Him to handle. Only He can soften hearts. Am I sinless? No, do I sin less, yes.
My prayer is that this encourages you to find moments, especially the first thing in the morning, say a prayer of gratitude, and spend quiet time with God daily. After a few minutes of prayer and quiet, start reading scripture. Starting my day like this has been life-changing. I take 5 minutes several times a day to pray, give praise, and lay my burdens before God, then read a few verses. Use your phone to search “bible verses about ________” fill in the blank with what you need in that moment. Often, there is a concordance “alphabetical index of key words” in the back of the bible, you can look there if you prefer to read the bible. I encourage you to make small goals on this. Start with today, then go from there. If you have to take it one day at a time. Miss a day. It’s ok, start again when the thought comes to mind. Ask God to help you remember and give you a heart for this. He will.