“My voice will you hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up.” Psalm 5:3
The best part of my day is waking up early in the morning after I’m fully rested. The stillness and solitude is the essence of peace. I capture the moment in prayer and reflection.
Some people wake up to self-created chaos and noise. Others have so many obligations and tight, demanding schedules which make it impossible to even imagine starting the day in stillness. Many people are paralyzed and gripped with fear watching the realities unfolding daily on the world news as well as in their daily lives.
With responsibilities of a family, others are left with high demands for caring for others which leaves rarely enough time for themselves. Stressful situations or circumstances can be heavy on our minds. Physical illness can also strip any sense of peace of mind and cause additional worries that can leave one feeling helpless, fearful, discouraged and insecure about their future. “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”2 Tim 1:7
With so many burdens plaguing the average person on a daily basis, we really need to evaluate and carve out time in our crammed schedules and overwhelming circumstances to mediate, pray and focus on silence. No children, cell phones, laptops, tablets, TV’s, radios or iPods allowed. Just time to be. Even if it’s only for 15-30 minutes a day. Eventually, once you start to notice how important it is to have a “time-out”, you will carve out special time for yourself and dedicate a specific amount of time per day or per week to unwind. “Evening, and morning and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice. He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.” Psalm 55:17-18
There’s just something extra special about quality time in the mornings. It’s the freshness of a new day with new ideas and new goals with an opportunity to make things better than the day before. “Seek me early and you will find me.”
Allow yourself time to dream again. No thinking or worrying involved. The time to do absolutely nothing without feeling guilty, rushed or anxious. Your body, mind and spirit will appreciate it. You will feel re-energized and rejuvenated. In addition, you will jump start your mornings on a whole new level. You are well worth the investment.
“Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” Psalm 4:4
While driving home in rush hour traffic, I was thinking about my life and how God is involved in every aspect. He knows my needs, desires, obstacles, challenges, weaknesses, and strengths. He knows everything about me, even the things that I have not discovered or I don’t’ yet understand about myself. He is aware of the intricate details of my being.
As I looked at everyone waiting at the red light, it hit me. Not only is He involved with every detail of my life, but every single person in this world. My mind started to randomly think of people all over the globe: Life events, natural disasters, political wars, economic crisis and terrorism that wound and distress the spirit.
Through all these difficulties in life there is hope for a new beginning; a new tomorrow by the power of God. I always seem to hear people blame God for the bad things that happen to us. But, I have never heard anyone blame the devil.
Although God has unlimited power, Satan is real and has the power to influence people’s thoughts, words, deeds, and actions. Overcoming spiritual battles is learning to use God’s word to destroy the enemy, praying and worshipping. God’s word is full of promises and truth. I have many testimonies to share how God has changed my life. He is not a God that should lie. Once we effectively learn to fight spiritual warfare with the armor of the Lord, we walk in victory.
People may argue if God is in control why does He allow bad things to happen to us? He is the creator of all things. He even created evil. I understand this is a very strong statement. I was even surprised myself when I found it in scripture. But, His character is of good not evil. He forms our character to be more like Him once we acknowledge Him as our Lord.
God is working out His divine plans in our lives. He allows us the freedom of choice. We can be full of rebellion and strife or full of obedience, faith, and peace. He fills us with His grace and mercy which is a gift. His nature and presence are Holy and pure. He sent His son, Jesus, to save us from sin and death. Once we confess the Lord as our Savior there is no such thing as guilt or condemnation. It is allowing Jesus to pay our debt and we are set free from the burden of sin. Confess the Lord as your Savior and open your heart to Him.
Scripture References
Isaiah 45:12:13 12I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 13I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts
Isaiah 45:16:25
16They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. 17But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. 18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. 19I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. 20Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. 21Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? Who hath told it from that time? Have not I the LORD? And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. 22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return void, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. 25In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
The following passages are from Isaiah 45:5-7
I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
John 3:16 So God, so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
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