Scripture to Memorize
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
Proverbs 31:16–17
Passage to Read
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8
Guided Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for mornings. I’m so grateful for the constant reminder that each day is another chance to start fresh. Each day is brand-new with no mistakes in it. Thank you for reminding us in your Word that your compassions are new every morning. You never run out of grace, mercy, or forgiveness. Your love never fails. I confess my tendency to put my trust in all the wrong places. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses” (Ps. 20:7)—sometimes I trust in my employer, my education, my accomplishments, my possessions. You alone are trustworthy. Today I choose to put my trust entirely in you.
Holy Spirit, show me the way I should go. Help me to make good decisions today and every day. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I offer you my mind, my will, and my emotions. I submit every thought, action, and feeling to your lordship. You’re in charge of my life. I belong to you. I trust you. Thank you for being so easy to trust. Amen.
Personal
The Proverbs 31 woman set about her work vigorously, and her arms were strong for her tasks. If we want to be equally vigorous and strong, it’s important for us to sleep soundly and maintain a healthy weight. One way to promote both of these goals is this: stop eating at least three hours before you go to bed. For optimum performance, our digestive system requires approximately twelve hours of rest. When we give our body what it needs to do its job, it returns the favor by providing us with energy to carry out the tasks of the day. When we eat late at night, especially if we have a heavy, carbohydrate-intense or sugar-laden meal, we wake up with a food hangover. That’s because we don’t sleep as well when our body is digesting; nor does our body digest as well when we’re not moving.
Most people don’t recognize the symptoms of a food hangover. They assume: That’s just how I feel in the morning or I’m not a morning person. Try giving your body a full twelve hours to focus on digestion, with a three- to four-hour head start before you lie down, and you will marvel at how much better you feel. If you really want to help the process, take a leisurely walk after dinner. Notice how much better you feel the next day.
In the future, anytime you violate this principle (and inevitably you will), you will immediately notice the difference. And you’ll declare: “Donna was right. I have been suffering from food hangovers!”
Eating at night also stimulates insulin production, which in turn stimulates fat storage. You don’t have to be a scientist to know right away: that can’t be good.
Eat a healthy dinner at least three to four hours before bedtime. Then, if you feel hungry later in the evening, remind yourself: This isn’t real. I just ate __ hours ago. I can’t possibly be hungry. What you think is hunger is either thirst (so drink some water) or a craving (so just say no—if it helps, promise yourself you can eat whatever it is you are craving tomorrow morning).
The next morning you should flush out what’s been digested overnight by drinking your lemon water first thing. You’ll be well on your way to a great day of vigorous work.
Affirmation: I give my body time to digest.
Practical
Stop eating at least three hours before going to bed. Consider taking a leisurely stroll after dinner.
Notebook: Turn to your ever-expanding EVENING ROUTINE page in your notebook. Subtract three hours from your bedtime and note: “No eating after ______ p.m.” (So if you are committed to being in bed by 10 p.m., no eating after 7 p.m.) You can also add EVENING WALK if you are so inclined.
Remember: Today is day nine of vegetables and water.