When I first started this healing journey I am on with God by my side, one of the first things I did was establish a morning routine....and let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I heard someone once say "you can't control everything but you can control your bookends" (forgive me I don't remember where I heard it to give them the credit) Meaning you can control the first parts of your day and the last parts of your day and just go with the flow in the middle.
So that's what I did! I took control over how I started each and every day! I have a very strict rule in the morning - No social media or news before my time with God! So here's what my mornings look like: I get up at 6 am and spend one hour at the gym to get my brain and body in a focused state of mind. After that I spend the next hour doing 3 things: I have a devotional and time with God, I pray, and then I write down five things I am grateful for and the reason why! Starting your morning with God and gratitude will literally change your life!
Here's what King David has to say about gratitude in Psalm 138:
1) I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. 2) I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. 3) When I called, you answered me, you greatly emboldened me. 4) May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. 5) May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. 6) Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. 7) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. 8) The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever do not abandon the works of your hands.
So here is David talking about how he will praise and give gratitude to God for his unfailing love and faithfulness but what really caught my attention is verse 3! When I called, you answered me, you greatly emboldened me. When we call on God, when we give him our time, effort and praise - He will make us bold, He will give us strength, He will give us courage!
I would really like to encourage all of you to spend the next 30 days as we are preparing for thanksgiving to write down 5 things you are already grateful for and why. See how God starts to work and move in your life. See if you notice any change in your day!
Keep the faith,
Liz