Good morning!
It is a new week and 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.
This week we are going to focus each day on reflecting. Each day this week I will provide affirmations, scriptures, and daily challenges regarding this topic. Next week will be a new one!
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 A NEW DAY
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 For The Future
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:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all that You have provided for me in a time when the future looks so bleak.
Let me never forget that my citizenship is in heaven and that no matter what happens in my life, while I remain on earth You are in control, and You have promised to care for all Your children.
Help me to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to You in this ever changing world, and help me not to put my hope and trust in the leaders of this world nor the things of this world that are passing away, but may I always remember that my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness. For this I praise and thank You Lord.
Thank You, Father, that You know the end from the beginning, and that You are truly in control of all that happens. Not only in our lives but in every corner of the world. Guide, protect and supply for the needs of all Your children and thank You Father that we do know that our future is secure in You, no matter what may take place in the world.
Praise Your name, and thank You for Your loving kindness,
Amen
Thanksgiving That God is in Control of the Future | Knowing Jesus
AFFIRMATIONS for the Future
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:
- The past has taught me many things, I embrace it. The future holds many possibilities, I seek them. Today I live with honest presence in this moment.
- I move forward eagerly, while embracing the now.
- I choose not to worry or stress about the future I cannot control; I choose to be positive and enjoy today.
- Today I will do something my future self will be proud of.
SCRIPTURES For The Future
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:
- Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be establshed.”
- Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
- Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed.”
- Psalm 20:4, “May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!”
TODAYS CHALLENGE
Our challenge today is this: dream about the future but don’t obsess over it.
Dreams are good things and often motivate us toward a goal we have in mind. The problem is, the future is something that has not yet happened and we have no control over it. We can plan and plan all day long for a future we dream about, and events that transpire between now and when we hoped to realize our dream can inadvertently derail our dream completely.
So, while it is perfectly acceptable to dream about the future, and even plan for it, we cannot obsess over it to the point that we are utterly derailed in life and emotionally destroyed if the dream does not come true, or does not come true exactly when we want it to.
I believe God gives us desires, dreams, and goals and we ought to pursue them. But we have to be willing to admit that God alone is in control of our future, and that we need to pursue it with His will in mind, not our own. If it is meant to be, and God wills it, it will happen. If not, we have to find a way to be OK with that.
Whenever I pursue a career change, a major decision in life, or a major purchase, I try to approach it with the mentality of “If it is meant to be it will be. If not, I will have to be OK with that.” I usually follow that up with a prayer to God that sounds something like, “God, if this is Your will let nothing stand in the way. If it is not Your will, slam the door firmly in my face.”
This helps me set appropriate expectations with myself that something may not happen just because I want it to, and it helps me set my eyes on His will and accept whatever may come.
So yes, lay on your back, stare at the clouds, and dream…but don’t obsess over the dream. Chase after it and trust that God will guide you into His perfect will for your life.
Quote of the Day
Today’s quote comes from former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, who once said:
I’m a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.
Mike Tyson
Want to get notified when the next morning and evening posts come out? Subscribe below!