How I start the day can determine more about the way it goes than just about anything else. I’m not talking about my devotional life per se (though one’s day is certainly affected by it). Instead, I’m focusing on how someone starts.

What is your waking thought? What do you do first thing every morning? Have you thought about it much?

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

I have to push this reset button on my mind each day. Its default mode is set to “earthly things,” and will stay there all day if I let it.

Here are the two ways I press reset:

A VERY SPECIFIC PRAYER

The first thought out of my mind is always the same request to God:

Father, today, expand my mind to think more like Jesus, expand my heart to love more like Jesus, and help me be unashamed of the Gospel.

Then I look at my phone. Not to check email or social media, but to see my Prayer Notebook prompt. This app allows you to set reminders on your phone to pray for specific people and moments. It also keeps track of how God has answered prayers over time. I look at my prompt, pray for whoever is on it, and get ready for the day.

LISTENING TO SCRIPTURE

This is something I’ve only discovered recently, but have grown to love. Listening to Scripture on my phone helps focus my mind on things above (checkout the YouVersion app). Slowing down to write notes in a journal is good for me, too. But there’s something refreshing about hearing the Bible read out loud.

If I don’t start the day well, it tends to get cranky fast. I’ve also noticed that my morning routine thrives on subtle variety. So, I try to throw new things in the mix.

Begin thinking through your morning moments. I’d love to know what you’ve found to help. Leave a comment at the bottom with an idea or observation. It may guide other people to hit reset better. One of my favorites is an observation John Piper made:

“I feel like I wake up and have to get saved again every single morning.

How do you push reset?