Prioritizing a Rhythm of Rest
I was never an early riser. I would hear stories of people who would wake up every morning at five or five thirty or even six, and I shuddered at the thought. I always assumed I was “not a morning person.”
I drove my husband crazy by hitting the snooze button twenty times before finally rolling out of bed feeling more exhausted than when the alarm went off the first time. Most mornings, I woke up overwhelmed, rushing to get my kids and myself out the door. It wasn’t uncommon for me to show up at the office frazzled, with coffee stains somewhere on my clothing. Each experience like this reinforced my belief: I am not a morning person.
Walking with intention
In the winter of 2022, I was unraveling and needed to try something different. I was exhausted, waking up every morning to an anxious rush. I wanted to stop the madness of letting exhaustion and grief set the agenda. I knew I could no longer start my day in the scramble of meeting everyone else’s needs except my own. I had a holy discontentment and a stirring in me, and I knew that God was calling me to wake up from my slumber and rise with him.
As I mentioned earlier, most of us aren’t natural morning people. We’re wired to seek comfort and rest, gravitating toward the warmth of our blankets rather than the chill of early morning air. Perhaps this is part of our survival instinct as human beings. But if we’re constantly seeking comfort, we may be missing out on something far greater. Proverbs 20:13 reminds us, “Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” There’s something profound about waking up with intention—about pushing our bodies into submission to the ways of God, even when it means sacrificing a little comfort.
In The Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod writes about how anyone can become a morning person. The idea isn’t necessarily to be a “natural” early riser, but rather about creating habits that align with the person you want to become.[1] As we develop these habits, we start to experience their benefits, both spiritually and physically.
In the morning, our minds are like a blank canvas. When we first wake up, our minds, bodies, and souls are in a state of rest and mental clarity. There’s a certain purity in the early hours—a decluttered space that invites creativity, prayer, and connection with God. It’s a precious moment, often wasted by the distractions of life. If we’re not careful, we can squander this sacred time.
The necessity of rest
When we think about early mornings, the focus often revolves around the alarm clock. But the real preparation for early rising starts much earlier than that. The key to a great morning is not just waking up early but also preparing ourselves to wake up well. This preparation begins with the way we approach rest.
In our fast-paced, constantly connected culture, rest is one of the first things we sacrifice. We burn the candle at both ends, staying up late to finish projects, answer emails, or unwind in front of the television. Yet to rise early and meet the day with intention, we need to reframe how we think about rest.
Rest is not wasted time; it is foundational to our well-being. In Genesis, when God created the world, he rested on the seventh day (2:2). This act wasn’t a sign of weakness but of divine rhythm. God modeled the necessity of rest, and as beings created in his image, we are invited to follow that rhythm. Rest isn’t about physical recuperation; it’s about spiritual and emotional renewal as well.
Intentional mornings start at night
If we want to rise early and feel refreshed, we must prioritize the night before. Instead of falling into bed exhausted after a day of frantic activity, consider how to intentionally unwind before bed. Here are some practices that can help you enter a restful state before bed with intentionality.
Develop an evening wind-down routine. Just as we prepare for a great morning by rising early, we must prepare for a great night by winding down intentionally. For example, setting a consistent bedtime is crucial. Going to bed at the same time each night, even on weekends, helps regulate your body’s internal clock. Your body will begin to anticipate rest, making it easier to fall asleep.
Limit screen time before bed. We’ve all heard it, but it’s worth repeating: The blue light emitted from phones, tablets, and televisions can interfere with our body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep.[2]Consider creating a technology-free zone in the hour before bed. Spend time reading, journaling, or praying. These quiet activities prepare your mind for rest and allow your body to transition smoothly into sleep.
Create a bedtime ritual of reflection and gratitude. Oneway to transition from the busyness of the day to a state of rest is by reflecting on your day and expressing gratitude. Before bed, consider jotting down a few things you are thankful for. Reflect on moments when you saw God’s hand in your day, even in small ways. This practice of evening gratitude helps you enter rest with a peaceful, contented heart rather than a mind spinning with worries.
By prioritizing rest, we are setting ourselves up for success. Rising early isn’t about grinding through exhaustion but about embracing a lifestyle of balance, where work and rest are held in tension. Rest is the foundation for early rising, and when we learn to honor the rhythms of rest built by God into creation, we begin to experience mornings not as something to endure but as a gift.
The beauty of mornings is that they offer us a fresh start every single day. Each morning, we awaken with new mercies (Lamentations 3:22–23). No matter how yesterday went, no matter our mistakes or failures, God invites us to begin again. Mornings remind us that the Christian life is a journey of continual renewal in which God’s grace is always enough to carry us through.
[1] Hal Elrod, The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM), rev. ed. (BenBella, 2023), 5–8.
[2] Rob Newsom, “Blue Light: What It Is and How It Affects Sleep,” Sleep Foundation, January 12, 2024, www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/blue-light.
