Your Best Day

“The very moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view.” – C. S. Lewis in Mere ChristianityThe first time I read that quote I thought, “How true!” My greatest battle is with myself––and it starts the moment I wake up.That’s why spending alone time with God in prayer and reading Scripture has to be a priority for me. Prayer is not about trying to get God to change his mind about things. It’s about God changing my mind about things. Because spiritual battles are in the mind. I need daily time, dedicated to prayer and the Bible. So do you.Do you have a daily quiet time? Consider these benefits of setting aside just 15-30 minutes at the beginning of each day for prayer and Bible reading.

• It gets you ahead of the day. By praying through my schedule and the things that I need to get done that day, I go into my day with my eyes wide open and ready for what is coming. Sure, I’ll get some surprises, but I’m ready for those surprises when I’m prepared for the things that I know are coming, and all of those things have been surrendered to the Lord.
• It adjusts your attitude. And attitude affects everything! Giving God control, with gratitude and joy, puts me in the right frame of mind to handle whatever comes. I think differently after spending time with Jesus.
• It redirects your focus from problems to the problem solver. If I’ve given God everything, then he’s responsible for the problems that go with those things. Sure, he has some things for me to do…but he’s ultimately responsible for what happens. My quiet time with God replaces fear and worry, with faith and trust.
• It energizes you. Whether you are a morning person or not, you need daily spiritual and emotional energy. Time alone with God provides that. He is your source. You need to be plugged into him every day!

Doing this consistently will enable each day to be the best day it could be. You’ll still have problems. You’ll still have surprises, you’ll still face difficulties, but you’ll be ready for them. You’ll have the right spiritual mindset to face them, and you’ll have the energy to make an impact.So get your phone out now. Put it in your calendar with an alarm: Alone Time with God.Start first thing tomorrow morning!