This is part 2 of Clay’s insight into his spiritual growth journey.
I have often thought it to be true of all of us that we wake up on the wrong side of the bed — not just once in a while, but every day. I don’t mean the typically understood meaning of this expression — referring to being in a bad mood or having a negative disposition. What I mean is that we wake up pre-occupied with our own individual concerns — whether those concerns are physical aches and pains or just what awaits us for the day.
During my journal and devotion time early in the morning over the last two weeks, I have been receiving strong messages about the opportunity each day presents to serve God. It is amazing what God can do to take you from the wrong side of the bed to a sense of peace and joyful opportunity as the day begins. But I am finding that it takes me some time so clear out my “wrong side” petty concerns and spend time with the Father. I know that I am not ready when I cannot focus for the whole of a brief opening prayer on just what I am saying and not allow other thoughts to creep in. I have found that the best way to address this is to repeat the prayer until God has my full attention.
I am learning that when God has my full attention, God will help me transition from the wrong side of the bed to a place where I am open to God working in my life as the day goes forward from there. Sure, there are other things, like in particular good physical exercise, that will help with stress and positive energy as the day commences — and this can be important part of creating space for God. But what exercise produces does not have the sustaining power of spending time with God.
And God does not want us to be anxious or fearful about the day that lies before us. That’s why He tells us that so many times in scripture. So we are really being disobedient when we get over-anxious or afraid, as well as missing an opportunity to demonstrate our faith by depending on God and lifting up our “wrong side of bed” concerns to Him. We are human, and we can’t control the side of the bed that we wake up on, but we can choose to turn to God early in the day and allow Him to direct us to the Other side. Thanks be to God.
Stumbling In the Dark and Turning Out the Light – Clay’s First Post
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I enjoyed reading your post.
It seems that my sense of well-being is directly dependent on how well I remove distractions to having a relationship to God.
Sometimes it is just so hard to give that full attention! You can repeat and repeat your prayer, but at the start of a morning you have that list of things to do repeating as well.
What are some opening prayers that you use or what mantra can you repeat to bring yourself back in to your present moment?
I usually take my opening prayers from Scripture, and of course the Lord’s prayer is right out of scripture — and I try to focus on just a phrase that stood out from the previous day’s Bible reading when I was journaling about it. The Bible provides a wealth of short phrases that can be used at the opening of quiet time. “Rejoice in the Lord Always.”
Clay, thanks for sharing your honest experiences. I am moved and inspired by hearing other people’s experiences and struggles.
Clay
I really enjoyed the post. It usually takes half the day for me to turn my mind off and be open to God. Hopefully tomorrow will be different. Thanks!