Rhythms
Greek origin, “rhythmos”: regular flow or movement. Think about your normal daily life. What are your regular activities, movements? Are they helpful? Do some need to go away? Or be added? Here is a new year challenge: Start your day with God.
Start Your Day with God – Seek First His Presence
There’s something sacred about the quiet stillness of the morning, a moment before the chaos of the day begins. It’s an opportunity to intentionally ground yourself in God’s peace and perspective, setting the tone for whatever lies ahead. Starting your day with God isn't just a faith practice; it’s a lifeline for navigating the challenges and unknowns of the day with grace and strength.
Why Begin with God?
Morning routines hold incredible power. From a counseling perspective, how you start your day significantly impacts your mindset, mood, and ability to manage stress. When you intentionally carve out time to focus on God—through prayer, Scripture, or worship—you create a foundation of peace and purpose. This practice can lower anxiety, increase clarity, and help you feel more equipped to face the day’s demands.
As Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." When we prioritize God, He takes care of the rest. That doesn’t mean our days will be without struggles, but we’ll carry His peace and perspective into each moment, allowing us to respond rather than react.
Practical Ways to Start Your Day with God
- Prayer:
Begin with a simple prayer of surrender and gratitude. Thank God for the gift of the day and ask Him to guide your thoughts, words, and actions. My all time favorite prayer book is Psalms in 30 Days by Trevin Wax. Other worn prayer books in my library are by Stormie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Parent, Wife, etc. The Book of Common Prayer is also a great resource. Our prayer life is always something we can grow. If you need more ideas, feel free to email me. - Scripture Reading:
Open your Bible and meditate on a passage or verse. You might focus on promises that remind you of God’s presence, such as Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.” There are also helpful apps that have many reading plans to choose from or topical devotions. The Bible Project App has a library of wonderful content to learn how to read scripture and short videos that explain the background of each book of the Bible, just to name a couple things. - Journaling:
Write out your thoughts, prayers, or reflections on Scripture. Journaling helps you process emotions and record how God is working in your life. I suggest having a notebook just for recording insights and thoughts or notecards to write verses on and place around your house for memorization. If you are interested in a gratitude journal for the year, email me and I will send it your way! - Worship:
Listen to worship music that shifts your focus from your worries to God’s greatness. A simple worship playlist can be a game-changer for starting the day with a heart full of praise. The music can be played at any time during your devotional time: beginning, middle, or end. I like to sing loud in my car on the way to work to my current favorite songs. I’m sure I look crazy, but at my age, I don’t care! - Silence and Reflection:
Spend a few moments in stillness, listening for God’s voice. Ask Him to reveal His priorities for your day instead of leaning solely on your own plans. This is the most difficult thing for me. I imagine it is for many of us because of all the many things vying for our headspace. But how can we hear God if we aren’t listening? I challenge you to start small, 5-10 minutes of silence, use a timer. Journal what comes to mind and what you hear from God.
The Coaching Perspective: The Science of Mornings
Morning routines reduce the brain’s natural tendency toward anxiety and overwhelm. When you start with intention, you’re less likely to spiral into reactive thinking or decision fatigue. Incorporating faith practices adds another layer of support by aligning your thoughts with truth and hope, rather than fear or worry.
Make It a Habit: Train Your Brain
Starting your day with God doesn’t have to take hours. Whether you have five minutes or thirty, the key is consistency. Find a rhythm that works for you, and give yourself grace on days when life feels hectic. Even a whispered prayer on the way to work can be an act of seeking God’s presence.
As you commit to putting God first, you’ll notice a shift in how you approach your day. The peace of His presence becomes an anchor when life feels unsteady. The wisdom of His Word offers guidance in difficult decisions. And the reminder of His love fills you with gratitude, even in the smallest moments.
So tomorrow morning, before you check your phone, rush to the coffee pot, or dive into the day’s tasks, pause. Start with God. Seek His presence first. Trust Him to meet you there and watch how His peace transforms your day.
Let’s anchor ourselves in His promises, one morning at a time.
Are you ready to transform your mornings and invite God’s peace into your day? Don’t wait for the chaos to overwhelm you—take the first step toward a more intentional and grounded life. Start tomorrow morning by seeking His presence and watching how He meets you right where you are.
If this post encouraged you, share it with a friend or download my free "10 Biblically-Based Tips to Overcome Overwhelm in Your Daily Life" for even more tools to cultivate peace and purpose! Let’s seek Him first, together.
Rooting you on,
Abby
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