God, Please Get Into My Head Before I Do…

— A Morning Practice of Peace, Presence, and Prayer

Most mornings, before the sun even thinks about rising, my mind is already awake—wide awake—racing with more thoughts than any human should have at 5 a.m. It’s like a wave that hits before I even get my bearings. Marriage stuff. Mom stuff. Career stuff. Bill stuff. House stuff.

But wait.

Hold on.

It's too early.

This is too much.

The list goes on—and trust me, Sparkle Bestie, it does—until I finally grab my notebook and start emptying all of it out, line by line. And then I ask myself a question I have to ask often:

“How do I bring all these worries into submission?”

Just last week, I woke up spiraling before I even got out of bed. I hadn’t even touched the floor and already felt behind. And that’s when I heard that small whisper—"Breathe. I’m here.’”

Because I can’t spend an entire day worrying my way into answers I can’t control. That’s not peace. That’s not faith.

(Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him")

And honestly? It makes no sense. How can I say I trust God while letting worry take the lead?

So the first thing I do is simple:

I quiet the noise.

I close my eyes.

I find my breath.

Slow inhale—1, 2, 3, 4.

Hold—1, 2, 3, 4.

Exhale—1, 2, 3, 4.

I repeat it until the thoughts get softer, farther, lighter.

Until I feel myself again.

Until peace comes close enough to touch.

When I open my eyes, I gently remind myself:

The only real moment is the one right in front of me. And right now, I am okay.

Today, I will move one moment at a time.

One decision at a time.

One action at a time.

What I can handle, I will handle.

What I can’t, I release.

I choose peace as my compass.

I choose to cast my cares onto God because He cares for me.

I choose not to be anxious, because the peace of Christ rules my heart.

I choose courage, because Jesus has overcome the world.

All morning, all afternoon, all day—

I affirm these things in my heart and spirit

so that when overwhelming thoughts try to drag me back into the chaos,

I can stand on God’s promises.

I am backed by heaven.

I am an overcomer.

I can do hard things.

I can do this day—because I am not alone.

And once my spirit is steady again, I shift into gratitude. It’s like opening the blinds and letting the morning in.

I’m grateful for this new day.

For my growing relationship with Yahweh.

For my life and my health.

For my family, their health, their peace, and their protection.

And most of all, for the awareness that I have the power—through Him—to shift the atmosphere of my own mind. Because my mind creates my reality.

I set the tone.

I choose the peace.

And no wandering thought has the authority to disrupt what God has helped me build within.

Scriptures to Anchor This Practice

• 1 Peter 5:7 — “Casting all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.”

• Philippians 4:6–7 — “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

• Colossians 3:15 — “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

• John 16:33 — “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

• Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in You.”

Sparkle Bestie, I truly hope this message has blessed you as deeply as it blessed me—first in receiving it, then in writing it, and ultimately in releasing it. So many times, I have to remind myself of the grace and mercy already waiting for me in the day ahead. And with everything in me, I now see how essential it is to put God in front of our lives… to invite Him to go before us, just like the heart behind the title of this post.

So I want to close with a prayer—one we can hold onto and return to whenever the noise tries to rise again:

A Prayer to Close the Morning

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask that You get into my head before I do.

Cast out worry, fear, doubt, anxiety, and anything that is not from You.

Help me remember that You have already overcome every difficult thing that will ever try to rise up against me.

And because I have You with me, I don’t have anything to be afraid of.

Renew my peace, Lord.

Let every breath I take today remind me that You are near.

Help me remember that I am not alone and never have been—

You are always with me.

Calm my spirit.

Clear my mind.

Fill my thoughts with Your promises—Your truth.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May your day be filled with love, light, and sparkle. Remember, Sparkle Bestie: God goes before you, walks with you, and covers behind you...You've got this—not because you’re perfect, but because you’re held.

With love, Shakila B.

Here's a song from Korean Soul that you never knew you needed :-) And some affirmations from @wakemeupmornings to help you on your way 💖

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