August 27: Morning Mercy for a Heavy Day
The alarm went off and your first feeling was dread. A hard day ahead. Maybe a hard conversation. Maybe just the weight of everything. How do you get out of bed?
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
David prays, Let me hear of your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Show me the way I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.
He asks for two things. First, to hear about God’s love. Before anything else. Before the news, before the email, before the worries. Then he asks for direction. Show me the way.
The order matters. If the first thing you hear in the morning is bad news or your own anxious thoughts, the whole day tilts that way. If the first thing you hear is that God loves you, you have something solid to stand on.
Try changing your morning routine. Before you look at your phone, sit up and pray David’s words. Read a few verses. Maybe a psalm. Let God’s voice be the first one you hear.
Then ask for direction. Not for the whole year. For today. Show me the way I should walk today. What should I do first? Who do I need to call? What can I let go of?
Hard mornings are common in recovery, especially when you’re doing step work that stirs things up. Some mornings will be heavy no matter what you do. That’s okay. You don’t need to feel great to get up. You just need enough to take the first step. Feet on the floor. A glass of water. A short prayer. That’s a start.
And remember, you’re not alone in the dread. Someone in recovery is waking up heavy today too. Text someone. “Rough morning. Praying for you too.” It helps both of you.
One thing today
Tomorrow, before you touch your phone, pray Psalm 143:8 out loud. Then read one psalm. See if it changes the shape of your morning.
A prayer
Lord, let me hear of Your loving kindness this morning. I trust You. Show me the way I should walk today. I lift my soul to You, heavy as it is. Amen.
Start Here has simple morning habits that help many people.
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