By: Amecia Matlock
So you started the day with a prayer and Bible study date with Jesus. Everything seemed possible, you were floating on a cloud, refreshed with new revelation, and had a determined spirit. It’s now approaching 11 pm and you ended your day with racing thoughts and redefined goalposts. You have more questions than answers and you’re wondering,
“What went wrong?”
The Spiritual and Mental Importance of Staying Connected to the Vine
There are multiple possibilities at play here. In this digital age, something is always vying for and splitting our attention. If it’s not technology, maybe it’s the busyness of our day, a difficult relationship, an unmet desire, or an event that’s already happened or has yet to come. The goalposts change when we allow the distractions of the day to pull us from our closeness with God and His present will for us.
I am reminded of Romans 12:2 – “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
If it’s not technology, maybe it’s the busyness of our day, a difficult relationship, an unmet desire, or an event that’s already happened or has yet to come. The goalposts change when we allow the distractions of the day to pull us from our closeness with God and His present will for us.
When I gave my life back to God and came out of my lukewarm behaviors and sin cycles, one of the first gifts God gave me was a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
From the world’s perspective, there should have been no way for a woman who was hospitalized a few years earlier to be in my current mental state. It was miraculous. It was a peace that I hadn’t experienced since I was a child and under the spiritual covering of my parents. It was something I took for granted in my early adulthood and was determined never to take for granted again.
One of the best new habits I’ve formed is doing the Bible App’s verse of the day devotional each morning. It’s been a great way to set the tone for my day and to remember who is with me as I face physical and spiritual challenges.
But I can go from being full of faith and joy in the morning to being full of doubts and lies from the enemy in the same evening if I’m not vigilant. The Bible says to stay alert because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Spiritually, this can manifest through conflict, triggers to old traumas, worries about the future, temptation to sin and re-enter bondage that God has already delivered us from, and a plethora of other tactics and schemes. Spiritual warfare does not end when we give our life to Christ, but He does equip us with everything that we need to withstand the trials. He also pours out so much love to remind us that we are not alone and that He is all we need.
Below I have included some daily recentering practices that I use to refocus my thoughts on the things above, rather than what things look like physically in the world (Colossians 3:2). Doing this realigns me to the state that I began the day with and helps me stay focused and centered in God’s will for me.
As a busy single mom, it can be hard to carve out more of that alone time with God that I get in the morning, but these are all ways that I can re-center myself with Jesus while walking in my purpose.
Daily Recentering for When Days Get Hectic
Music & The Importance of Discernment with Media’s Spiritual Implications
Ahh sweet sweet music. Music has been a haven for me since before I was walking with Jesus. There is a way we as humans all connect to music psychologically that is quite unifying. There is nothing quite like a praise and worship session to interrupt worrisome thoughts of the future and remind you of who is in control. I have had complete shifts in mood just by praising while I prepare a meal or putting some jazz music on my record player and dancing with my son in the kitchen.
Music, like most of what speaks to us through technology, sends subliminal messages straight to our noggins. We must be careful of what we let into it.
I’m cautious about media because now that I am sensitive to the Holy Spirit, I get convicted about what I listen to and watch. I have started to see the spirits behind them and what I can unintentionally be coming into agreement with if I meditate on certain songs, movies, or shows and allow them to take root in my mind.
Mathew 6:22-23 says “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
Music, like most of what speaks to us through technology, sends subliminal messages straight to our noggins. We must be careful of what we let into it.
I spent two days and several hours going through a decade’s worth of music on my phone and deleting at least 75% of my music library. Some songs glorified heartbreak, idolized relationships with men, or held bitterness and resentment towards them. Some songs were self-centered and ego-driven, perverse and explicit, blasphemous, or encouraged drunkenness, rebellion, witchcraft, and dishonesty. These were songs I would play on repeat and had become completely desensitized to.
Just as music can pull us closer to God and lift our spirits, it also has the ability to drive a wedge between us and God and pull us into darkness. It is important that we use discernment throughout our day to help keep our thoughts centered on God and His promises.
Audio Books as Spiritual Food and Encouragement
Another favorite way of mine to recenter myself while completing daily tasks is listening to an audiobook. I don’t always have the time to sit down with a book that is meant for ages 2+, so Audible has been my saving grace.
I’m currently listening to How to Tell the Truth by Preston Perry. It’s a beautiful book where he shares his testimony and how “Sharing our faith isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about winning hearts.” I highly recommend it!
Books like this, and another favorite of mine, The Women of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream, are great ways to stay plugged in and encouraged throughout your day.
Other encouraging books I have exceptionally enjoyed outside of the faith-based genre are Man’s Search for Meaning by* Viktor E. Frankl, How to Have That Difficult Conversation by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, and Don’t Worry by Shunmyo Masuno.
The first two are actually by psychologists and the last by a Zen Buddhist monk, however, the principles within align with many teachings in the bible. I plan on reviewing these in the future through a biblical lens.
Prayer Without Ceasing & Intentional Moments of Gratitude
Arguably one of my most important practices is actually commanded through scripture. “Pray without ceasing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Something I’ve learned throughout my faith journey is God wants it all.
He wants whatever spirit of fear, shame, or condemnation your mind has drifted to, to be bound and rebuked in the name of Jesus. He wants every moment of gratitude and praise, even for little things like the sprinkles added to your morning coffee or your baby’s sweet laugh. He wants the verses He brings to your remembrance to be spoken and declared out loud. He wants every thought of goodwill and hope for salvation for a loved one or a complete stranger to be brought to his feet. He wants every spirit of confusion to be laid down and traded for His peace and wisdom. He – wants – it – all.
Something I’ve learned throughout my faith journey is God wants it all.
God sent His son Jesus to die for us so that we could enjoy this daily communion with our heavenly father. It’s amazing how quickly your mind shifts when you allow God in, instead of trying to fight all the battles alone.
Journaling or just having an honest conversation with God out loud about what’s troubling you, without any solutions in mind, is also important. It is psychologically proven that escapism and numbing out our feelings do more harm than good. By letting out all of these thoughts and feelings to your spiritual savior, where you can be the most honest, raw, and vulnerable, you are more likely to be able to heal and move forward than when you bottle them inside. I’ve also noticed, that almost immediately, God will reveal scripture or signs that are exactly what I needed to help calm the storm.
Pray About Fasting
I’ve been called to do targeted fasting based on things that I was currently idolizing. This could be anything I start to place more value on compared to my time with God. Whether that’s social media, my social life, shopping, eating or ordering out, certain shows, etc. I’ve also been called to more traditional fasts when God wanted me to cut off all distractions. This is something that is deeply personal and specific and can be unbelievably impactful.
God is constantly with us and wants to lead the way. Proverbs 3:6 says, “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” We just need to be able to hear His voice.
There is a verse in the bible about How God will never put more on us than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). I often contemplated this and wondered why I have had times where things in my life felt unbearable. God says that His yoke is easy to bear, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Whenever things start to feel too heavy, I realize that I am typically putting burdens on myself that God never intended for me to carry. This is what makes things feel unbearable. But whenever I turn to Him, I receive the peace and direction that He’s promised me and that I need.
So as I wrap this up, I leave you with a favorite bible verse;
Psalms 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
FRUIT OF THE DAY | GOODNESS SONG OF THE DAY | GOOD DAY – FORREST FRANK
How do you re-center yourself with God on busy days?
To God be all the Glory Honor and praise! My life is His alone to use ❤️ May he bless…
Thank you for sharing transparently. Our experiences and tripping stones are a path to not only our own stronger faith…
wow!! 29Peanut Butter Dreams
I pray for God’s goodness and grace for you and your family. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for sharing this.
FRUITS OF MY SPIRIT 
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