Morning Discipline 2 – Think Before You Speak, Practice the Pause

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Good morning!

It is a new day and I’m so glad you could join me as we continue our journey toward renewing our minds and improving our self-discipline. If you’re just joining me, you can read my article, “Morning and Evening: A New Self Discipline Journey” to learn more about why I am doing this, and how this may benefit you as well.

With that said, let’s start our morning together!

BREATHING EXERCISE

Before we begin let us take some deep breaths to calm our mind and prepare us for this mornings discipline.

MUSIC For Practicing the Pause

I personally like to have some soft music in the background, so if that’s something you like as well below you will find a song you can play for the duration of our time together.

PRAYER

Now that we’re calm, let us transition to a time of prayer. Over the next few minutes you can pray on your own or feel free to use the following prayer:

God,

I want to let go of all that lies behind me. I want to let go of the sins that have entangled me–the bad habits I can’t break–and the fears and anxieties that keep chasing me. I’m ready for a fresh start. I believe you are making all things new and that you have prepared for me glory beyond what I can imagine.

Help me to live into the glory even now. Please, help me to live in the light of your Son, Jesus, in whose name I pray.

Amen.

5 Powerful Morning Prayers to Start Your Day | Prayer For a New Day | http://www.abide.com

AFFIRMATIONS

Affirmations are one way we can speak to our minds and set the tone for our day. Sometimes, when the struggle to make it through the day hits us hardest, it takes the words of our lips to penetrate the deepest reaches of our minds and keep us moving forward.

Here are a few affirmations for this morning that you can put in your pocket and carry with you throughout your day.

As you read through them, repeat each one out loud at least three times before moving to the next. Take your time. Close your eyes and say them to yourself as well. Let these words sink into your heart and mind this morning [REPLACE AFFIRMATIONS BELOW W/ NEW ONES]:

  1. I will be still and wait in God.
  2. I will acknowledge God in all of my ways.
  3. God will keep me in perfect peace as I keep my mind on Him.
  4. God’s faithfulness is new every morning.
  5. I will be quick to hear and slow to speak.

SCRIPTURES For Practicing the Pause

As Christians, our affirmations should be rooted in the strength and power of God who empowers us and strengthens us to face every trial and every day (both good and bad).

Here are some scriptures that further support the affirmations we just spoke to ourselves. Again, repeat each one three times out loud before moving to the next one. Take your time. Maybe try to commit these to memory as well:

  1. Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
  2. Proverbs 3:6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”
  3. Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
  4. Lamentations 3:23, “They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
  5. James 1:19-20, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

TODAYS CHALLENGE

It is indeed a new day and a new journey. Yesterday has passed, and tomorrow has not yet come. Today is the moment we have been given, and we must seize it and live it like there is no tomorrow.

Our challenge today is this: practice the pause.

Ever been guilty of responding quickly and harshly?

Ever had thoughts that came to your mind and then immediately out of your mouth that you instantly regretted?

I have!

This is where practicing the pause becomes essential in stopping these things in their tracks before they can erupt from our lips and cause immense damage. By-the-way, I’m not good at this.

Today, when you feel the urge to respond quickly and without much thought, pause and wait on the Lord to help you discern what, if anything, should come out of your mouth next.

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