New Morning MerciesНамуна

Put Aside the Shame of Yesterday

It’s easy to wake up with the shame of yesterday still weighing heavily on you. We are creatures who love to replay past mistakes in our mind, and carry them around like chains.

But this is why I love mornings so much. If a renewed perspective with the Lord becomes your one goal for the morning, then it’s easier to let go of the mistakes you made yesterday. It’s easier to start new.

There’s a phenomenon known as the “Fresh Start Effect.” It’s when we are more motivated to take action after we feel like the slate has been wiped clean for us. This is why New Year’s Resolutions are a thing. Temporal landmarks such as a new year, our birthday, or an anniversary, gives us a sense that we can start over. This clean slate motivates us to take action.

The reason why the Fresh Start Effect works is because it allows us to separate ourselves from our past mistakes. Too often, people don’t let themselves move forward when they’ve made past mistakes. A temporal landmark helps us separate from those mistakes.

Here’s the thing: the Gospel has given us the ultimate fresh start. And the Bible tells us that the Lord’s mercies are new each morning.

We can practice a fresh start each morning.

Here’s how I like to practice this. Every morning, when I wake up with a renewed perspective, I imagine the Lord telling me that my mistakes are behind me. When I journal in the morning, I process more of the shame I carry from the day before. But when I close my journal, I imagine me putting away those shame and anxiety thoughts. Just as I close my journal, I’m closing the door on yesterday’s shame.

You too can enjoy a fresh start every morning. In the morning, imagine the Lord providing you with fresh mercies. Then set aside yesterday so you can be present today.