How do you wake up each morning?
I appreciate people who can jump out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off and embrace the day in its entirety. I have never been an early riser unless it was Christmas. I am one of those people who wakes up slowly. Even as a child, my momma would wake me fifteen minutes before my brother because I needed the time to adjust to a new day.
My husband quickly learned not to ask me anything significant for the first fifteen minutes of the day. I don’t like to jump in the day, but more or less dip my toes in first. It isn’t that I’m grumpy; I need time to welcome the day. I’ve concluded that my body wakes up before my brain.
Food Isn’t My First Thought
For years we have been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
When I wake up in the morning, food is not my first thought, and actually, I’m not fond of the smell of coffee in the morning, and I hate the taste of coffee even more. However, I know the importance of having breakfast each morning.
Why is breakfast important?
Breakfast breaks the fast that our bodies have endured while sleeping and gets our bodies going. We need the nutrients to become productive and energized for the day.
Studies have shown when people eat breakfast, they think more clearly and consistently have more sustained energy. Children’s test scores dramatically improve when they have eaten versus taking a test on an empty stomach. If physical food can do this for you, think of what the outcome could be if we ate spiritual food every morning.
Feast on Spiritual Food
I believe the most important thing we can do for ourselves is beginning the day by feasting on spiritual food.
I have often gotten up and rushed out the door without eating anything, only to find myself miserable spiritually and physically hangry at about ten o’clock. I’m not doing anybody favors running on empty. In my rush to get out the door, I’ve never even said “Good Morning” to the One who created the day! Even the birds sing their praise to God first thing in the morning.
With Age Comes Wisdom
The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to make time to eat my spiritual food, followed by some physical food. In order to appreciate the day the Lord has made, you have to learn who owns your schedule, and it isn’t you or me. On the days I find myself struggling, chances are it is because I haven’t had my spiritual breakfast.
I have found that eating my spiritual breakfast first allows the rest of my day to have more meaning and purpose. I’m more patient, and I give more grace. I don’t get it right every day, but by placing this spiritual discipline in my life, God is teaching me more about Him. There is an incredible difference between starting the day with God or trying to fit Him into my schedule. I don’t want to be last on His list, so why should I make Him last on mine.
Related Post: Are You Suffering from Soul Dehydration?
5 Easy Ways to Embrace the Day
Here are five easy ways to help you embrace the day with good solid spiritual food. There is no right or wrong way to eat your spiritual breakfast, and just like your physical breakfast, sometimes you need to change it up.
Embrace the Day with a Journal
Write down a scripture verse or verses each day and what it means to you, or jot down five things you are grateful for each day. I realize a journal isn’t for anyone, but it is also an excellent way to look back and see the progress you have made in your spiritual journey.
Begin Your Day with Prayer
Spend some time in prayer. Conversation with God is always a good thing any time of the day, especially in the mornings you feel rushed. Let your prayer life become the conduit to the spiritual wellness of your personal life. I live outside of Washington, D.C, and we have many red lights. I have done a lot of red light prayers where I pray for someone or a situation at every red light.
Embrace Your Day By Listening to Worship Music
Music has a way of opening your soul and allowing His presence to speak to your heart. Music and lyrics can move me to tears, and it is God singing over me. Did you know that God does sing over you?
For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
Get the Bible App
There are tons of various plans about any subject that you can get some great inspiration, wisdom, and knowledge from to help you grow in your relationship with God, and it is FREE! You can also get other people to join you in the same Bible Study plan. I have used this with my family and friends who live out of state, and it is a great to stay connected. Plus, it provides some accountability! This app is a great way to read your Bible in a version you choose and can understand. Also, you can let it read to you! It doesn’t get much easier than that! Just soak the Word into your heart.
When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight,
Jeremiah 15:16: (NLT)
for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
Get a Devotional
Many great devotionals are online or books that will help you start each day with encouragement and scripture. If a spiritual breakfast is a new thing for you, there are 5-minute devotionals for those beginning their journey.
With everything going on in the world, there has never been a more critical time to be aligned with God’s Word than today. His Word will supply what you need when nothing else makes sense. It may not be easy, but you will get through. The more we feed ourselves spiritual truth, the more we will be prepared for the days ahead.
What About You?
How do you embrace the day? I would love to have some more ideas! What gives you the motivation to accomplish your daily tasks? Do you feel yourself running out of encouragement, peace, and energy long before the day is over?
I encourage you to feed yourself spiritually to obtain the proper spiritual nutrients your soul needs. I have learned that my most challenging days have been made easier by spending time with God first. I wish I would have learned this sooner in my life, but thankfully God is patient with me. Submitting myself to Him first gives me His peace and energy that sustains me throughout the day and keeps me spiritually equipped to embrace the day no matter what the day may bring.
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