Are You Waking Up Worrying Or Worshipping?

We have a tendency to wake up thinking about what the day holds. There's not anything wrong with that, but I'd say it sometimes gets us off on the wrong foot. Our days are busy, and filled with things that are difficult... including the undesirable.

Today you may have to do something you don't really want to do. You may have to be around people you don't like. You may have to have a conversation you would rather not. You may have an idea that something rough is coming your way but don't know what it is or when it will arrive. It is easy to awaken with dread or fear. If this is how we wake up, it can set the mood for the whole day.

Some people seem to be naturally cheery. They wake up with a smile and a "Good Morning", even if their pillow was stolen in the middle of the night. It isn't that they are immune to, or oblivious to difficulties. They have just determined that they will choose to face the day with confident joy and anchoring peace.

If you struggle with a positive waking attitude, let me remind you that the Psalmist said, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

Days are not just random occurrences, or simply a cosmic pattern. God makes each day, and He gives it to you. Today is a true gift from God to you. What you do with it is your gift to Him. Wake up knowing that you have been given a great opportunity. And as a child of God, this day will not just happen to you, but you have great promises that God is empowering you to be victorious in this short span of time that you will never have again. David, the writer of so many wonderful passages put it this way...

"My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being.
Wake up, harp and lyre!
I will wake up the dawn.
I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;I will sing praises to You among the nations.
For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens, and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
God, be exalted above the heavens, and let Your glory be over the whole earth.
Save with Your right hand and answer me so that those You love may be rescued."
(Psalm 108:1-6)

Look at how he says, "I will wake up the dawn." I usually feel like the dawn wakes me up. But my praise of God should be so vibrant that I wake up the dawn. Regardless of what you have to face today, it will not be as bad as God is good. Instead of waking up worrying about what the day holds for you, wake up worshiping the One who holds the day for you.

Right now, thank God for 3 things He has done in your life, and then thank Him for what He will add to that list today. Praise Him for going before you, with you, and behind you in this day.

---