I honestly did not think I had any other options for getting up in the morning. I believed the lie that I hated mornings, I loved to sleep in late, and there was nothing I could do about it.
I wanted to spend time with God, but morning times did not work, because I had enough time to speed into work, and that was all my mornings allowed. I would arrive at work usually in a panic or rush because inevitably I would get caught in morning traffic or stuck behind the toll bridge. I never allowed myself time in the morning to get anything done other than that very quick cup of coffee, that I usually guzzled down while hurriedly getting dressed.
I tried spending time with the Lord after work. I tried praying, reading my Bible, and being still before God in the evenings, but those attempts failed miserably. By the time I whipped up dinner, cleaned the kitchen, and prepared my clothes for the next day, I would find by the time I sat down to read my Bible, I would fall asleep.
I thought, there had to be a better solution to getting more done than I wanted like spending time with God, exercising, and planning out my day.
I saw a video on YouTube, “How to be successful before 8 am.” Of course, I clicked on the video and did not even realize that the video was made by a Christian. What inspiration and encouragement I received from that video. I realized if I truly wanted to be able to get the goals I wanted to accomplish, I would have to wake up earlier!
I recommend that if you start getting up earlier you make sure that you get to bed earlier.
What are the spiritual advantages that have occurred in getting up early:
1. I have quiet time in the morning before anyone else gets up. I use that quiet time to get alone with the Lord. I read the Bible, pray, worship, do a gratitude journal, and/or listen to the Holy Spirit. This time with the Lord is the very first thing that I do before doing anything else.
2. I can seek the Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance for my day. I ask the Holy Spirit, “What do you want to share with me today, what do you want to speak to me in your Word, and I ask the Holy Spirit to direct and guide me.
3. I can frustrate the plans of the enemy for the day, and cancel demonic assignments for me, and my loved ones. Getting up early to rise and pray is a strategic warfare battle plan, as the enemy has already been up causing havoc. Witches do their spell-casting after midnight, usually before daybreak and sundown.
4. I feel God’s peace as I put Him first in the morning, and I begin my day in His peace. My day tends to go a lot smoother when I have this time with the Lord in the morning.
Now that I have gotten used to getting up early and spending time with God, (and sipping my hot coffee slowly during this time), I also have time to exercise, eat a healthy breakfast, wash the breakfast dishes, and make the bed! I also love getting up in the morning now, as I look forward to my quiet time with the Lord. I am now in the camp of the “early morning risers!”
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Stephanie Reck
Featured Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
