Psalms 143

A Morning Person

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. ~ Psalms 143:8

Up until recently, I have always confessed that I am not a morning person. I often struggle to leave my nice, warm, comfy bed early in the morning. Even though for years I worked a job that required me to be there at 5 a.m. and even before that, I made the decision to wake up an hour earlier than necessary to spend intentional time with God. Still, mornings have never come easy for me.

A couple of weeks ago, I was in a small group discussion where many of us shared our struggles with getting up and going in the mornings. As we talked, one wise lady spoke up and said, “You know, the trouble you are having is partly because of the words you keep saying.” The moment she said it, something clicked in my spirit. I immediately saw things from a different perspective.

The truth is, I do get up early each morning, even on the days I don’t have to go into work. I wake up to write and share an encouraging message to help others face their day. So, I said to her, “You’re right! I get up early in the morning, so I AM a morning person.”

That conversation changed something in me. As I drove home that day, I prayed and asked the Lord to transform my heart about mornings. I didn’t want to dread waking up, I wanted to look forward to it! I asked Him to remind me of the plans He has for my day, to stir up excitement in my spirit for the purpose He has placed before me. Throughout the rest of that day, I continued thanking the Holy Spirit for revealing this truth to me and for the work He was doing in my heart.

Now, I won’t say that I’ve been instantly delivered from every struggle of getting up early. But I can say that since that day, my mindset has changed. I find myself looking forward to the morning rather than dragging into it. I wake up with expectation in my heart, knowing that God has something new for me in the day ahead.

I love this verse in Psalms 143 that reminds me that He lets me hear His lovingkindness in the mornings and shows me the path to walk each day as I lift my soul to Him. It perfectly captures the shift in my perspective. When I wake up and hear His lovingkindness through His words of love each morning, it sets the tone for my entire day. When I trust in Him, I am confident that He will show me the way I should walk and reveal the plan that He has made for my day.

If you’ve ever struggled with mornings, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to stay stuck in that mindset. Here are a few steps to start embracing your mornings with joy and purpose:

1. Change Your Confession – Stop saying, “I’m not a morning person.” Instead, start declaring, “I wake up early to meet with God, so I AM a morning person!” Your words shape your reality. (Proverbs 18:21)
2. Pray for a Shift in Perspective – Ask God to help you see mornings differently. Pray for excitement and expectation about what He wants to do in your day. (Romans 12:2)
3. Start Your Morning with God’s Word – Instead of reaching for your phone or hitting snooze, begin your day by reading scripture and listening for His voice in your heart. (Psalms 5:3)
4. Give Thanks for the New Day – Even if waking up feels hard, thank God for another opportunity to serve Him, grow, and walk in His purpose. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
5. Create a Morning Routine that Excites You – Find something that makes you look forward to mornings.  It can be journaling, worship, a fresh cup of coffee, or a sunrise walk with God. (Isaiah 40:31)

Today I want to encourage you to remember you don’t have to be naturally wired as a “morning person” to embrace the morning with joy. The key is inviting God into your morning and allowing Him to set the course for your day. Let Psalms 143 be a reminder that He is eager to speak to your heart every morning, to pour out His lovingkindness, and to show us the way you should walk.

So, no matter how you’ve felt about the mornings before, today can be a fresh start. Wake up with expectation, meet with God first, and step into your day with joy, because He is already there, waiting for you.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 143

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness.

2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous.

3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead.

4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.

6 I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.  Selah

7 Answer me speedily, O Lord; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like those who go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.

10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.

11 Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12 In Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.