Since I was 17 year old, I’ve started my day with reading emails and the news. I’ve been doing that for 14 years now, and never really thought about what its impact was on my mood. After all, I’m a journalist, blogger and editor. My entire life revolves around the news and about keeping in touch with colleagues.
However, not too long ago, I made a drastic change. Instead of checking the news, now I first prayed to God, asked Him to guide me during my daily reading of the Bible, and asked Him to impress upon me whatever He wanted me to learn that day. Then I opened the Bible app on my phone (YouVersion) and started reading.
The results of this new habit have truly been revolutionary. Before starting this regime, I never realized just how depressing and stressful the first few minutes of my day were. I now know that my habit of checking the news before checking in with God was absolutely disastrous. Not only for myself, but also for those around me.
In the Bible God tells us to “incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:20-22).
I’ve found that to indeed be the case. God’s Word is life and it does heal us. It takes away the depressive emotions caused by the world, and causes us to focus on what truly matters: His love and His presence. Everything else is put into perspective. It just doesn’t matter that much anymore. After all, in the end everything is in God’s hands. And his plans for us will make us “prosper.”
In Proverbs 3:1 God instructs us:
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Starting the day with prayer and the Word has been a tremendous net positive for me. Although I initially believed it’d mean I’d work less, the opposite is true. My mind is more clear and I’m more positive and more focused than ever before, all of which help me to be more effective and productive.
More importantly, I feel as if I’m continuously in touch with God, and with His plans for my life. This enables me to deal with everything and everyone that crosses my path. And it’s all because of the amazing power of the Word and prayer.
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