MONDAY IS COMING—ARE YOU READY?
How to Prepare Yourself Mentally, Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually for Another Monday Morning
There is something about Monday morning.
For some people, just hearing those two words can change the atmosphere.
The weekend isn't even over, yet Sunday afternoon arrives and the mind starts running:
I have to go back to work tomorrow.
The alarm is going to ring early.
I have meetings.
The children have school.
Traffic.
Deadlines.
Emails.
Bills.
Appointments.
That problem I left Friday will still be sitting there Monday.
Before Monday has even arrived, we can already be living in it.
But perhaps Monday doesn't have to be something we dread, survive, and recover from.
Perhaps we can prepare for it.
Not merely by setting the alarm and laying out our clothes, but by preparing the whole person—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
David wrote:
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24
That verse doesn't exclude Mondays.
Monday belongs to God too.
And if God has allowed us to see another one, perhaps our first response shouldn't be:
“Oh no, not again.”
Maybe it should be:
“LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH ME THIS WEEK?”
FIRST, STOP TREATING MONDAY LIKE THE ENEMY
Monday hasn't done anything to us.
It's a day.
Twenty-four hours.
The difficulty is often what we have attached to it.
Responsibility.
Pressure.
Routine.
Conflict.
Exhaustion.
Unfinished work.
We begin associating Monday with everything we don't want to face.
But Scripture reminds us:
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he...” — Proverbs 23:7
How we approach something affects how we experience it.
If Sunday evening becomes six hours of rehearsing everything that could go wrong Monday, we have allowed Monday to steal part of Sunday too.
Don't give it that much power.
Prepare for tomorrow—
but live today.
PREPARE YOURSELF MENTALLY
Monday morning is not the best time to begin figuring out Monday morning.
Preparation reduces unnecessary stress.
Before going to bed Sunday, take a few minutes to think through the next day.
What absolutely must be done?
What can wait?
What time do you need to leave?
What appointments are scheduled?
What is your most important task?
What problem needs your clearest thinking?
Write it down if necessary.
But don't make the mistake of putting twenty-seven things in the “must do” category.
Everything cannot be priority number one.
Identify what matters most.
Then remind yourself:
I DO NOT HAVE TO SOLVE THE ENTIRE WEEK ON MONDAY MORNING.
Take the week one day at a time.
Take Monday one task at a time.
Take difficult tasks one step at a time.
Jesus said:
“Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” — Matthew 6:34
Tomorrow has enough responsibilities of its own.
Don't mentally carry Friday while brushing your teeth Monday morning.
DON'T BEGIN THE DAY WITH THE WORLD SCREAMING AT YOU
Many of us do something within minutes of waking up:
Reach for the phone.
Before prayer.
Before Scripture.
Before breakfast.
Sometimes before our feet touch the floor.
Notifications.
News.
Email.
Social media.
Messages.
Headlines.
Problems.
And within five minutes, everybody else has already decided what our mind will think about.
Try something different.
DON'T LET THE WORLD SPEAK FIRST.
Give God the first few minutes.
Before discovering what everybody else thinks you need to know—
remember what God has already said.
PREPARE YOURSELF PHYSICALLY
Sometimes what feels like a spiritual crisis is partly exhaustion.
We stayed up too late.
Ate poorly.
Didn't drink enough water.
Barely moved all weekend.
Then Monday morning arrives and we say:
“Lord, the devil is attacking me.”
Maybe.
But sometimes we simply need to go to bed.
God created our bodies.
Caring for them is not unspiritual.
Paul reminds us:
“Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost...” — 1 Corinthians 6:19
So prepare physically.
Get reasonable rest.
Don't stay awake unnecessarily late Sunday night and then curse the alarm Monday morning.
Prepare clothing beforehand.
Pack what you need.
Have breakfast plans.
Allow enough time to get ready without turning the entire household into an emergency room.
If you know mornings are difficult, eliminate as many morning decisions as possible the night before.
Small preparation creates breathing room.
GIVE YOUR BODY TIME TO WAKE UP
Some of us expect our bodies to go from unconscious to full-speed responsibility in three minutes.
Alarm.
Jump up.
Shower.
Coffee.
Keys.
Door.
Traffic.
No wonder we feel stressed.
When possible, wake early enough that you don't begin your week running behind yourself.
Stretch.
Walk a little.
Drink some water.
Eat something appropriate.
Breathe.
Allow your body to understand:
We're awake. We're moving. We're going to be all right.
You don't have to begin Monday at 100 miles per hour.
PREPARE YOURSELF EMOTIONALLY
This may be the area we neglect most.
You may not simply be tired.
You may be carrying something.
Something happened Friday.
Someone hurt you.
You're worried about a child.
Your marriage is strained.
Money is tight.
You received bad news.
You're grieving.
You're frustrated with your supervisor.
You're dreading seeing a particular person.
Those emotions do not disappear because the calendar changed.
So acknowledge them.
Don't pretend.
But don't allow them to become the steering wheel either.
You can say:
“Yes, I am worried.”
“Yes, I am disappointed.”
“Yes, I am angry.”
“Yes, I am hurting.”
And then:
“BUT THESE FEELINGS WILL NOT DECIDE HOW I LIVE TODAY.”
Feelings are real.
They are not always reliable leaders.
DON'T HAVE MONDAY'S ARGUMENT ON SUNDAY NIGHT
You know the person.
You know what they might say.
You know how they sometimes behave.
And Sunday night you begin rehearsing the conversation.
If she says this, I'll say that.
If he tries that again...
Before long, you're angry at somebody who isn't even in the room.
Stop.
You may be fighting a conversation that never happens.
Jesus taught:
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow...” — Matthew 6:34
Don't borrow emotional trouble from tomorrow.
If the conversation happens, deal with it then—with wisdom, grace, and self-control.
FORGIVE BEFORE MONDAY ARRIVES
This can change your entire week.
Maybe somebody irritated you last week.
Don't carry them into the new week on your back.
Forgiveness does not mean pretending wrong didn't happen.
It doesn't necessarily mean trust is immediately restored.
It doesn't mean boundaries disappear.
It means refusing to let resentment become your traveling companion.
Paul wrote:
“Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” — Ephesians 4:26
Sometimes one of the greatest Monday preparations is simply praying:
“Lord, help me release what happened last week.”
A new week deserves more than recycled bitterness.
PREPARE YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY
Now we reach the foundation.
You can organize your schedule.
Prepare your clothes.
Get eight hours of sleep.
Eat breakfast.
Exercise.
Think positively.
And still walk into Monday spiritually empty.
You need more than motivation.
YOU NEED GOD.
Isaiah 40:31 tells us:
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength...”
Before you face Monday's people—
seek God.
Before Monday's decisions—
seek God.
Before Monday's temptations—
seek God.
Before Monday's problems—
seek God.
Before you ask yourself,
“How am I going to get through this?”
ask:
“LORD, HOW DO YOU WANT ME TO WALK THROUGH THIS WITH YOU?”
That changes the question entirely.
GIVE GOD THE FIRST PART OF YOUR DAY
You don't necessarily need an hour.
If you have it, wonderful.
But don't allow the inability to give God sixty minutes to become the excuse for giving Him zero.
Ten focused minutes can change the atmosphere of your morning.
Read Scripture.
Pray.
Sit quietly.
Thank God.
Ask for wisdom.
Pray over your family.
Pray about work.
Pray for difficult people.
Pray for opportunities to help someone.
And before you leave:
PUT YOUR DAY INTO GOD'S HANDS.
Proverbs 3:6 says:
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
PRAY BEFORE YOU ENTER THE WORKPLACE
Perhaps you arrive at work and sit in the parking lot for a moment.
Don't immediately get out.
Take sixty seconds.
“Lord, guard my mouth today.”
“Give me wisdom.”
“Help me treat people well.”
“Keep me from unnecessary conflict.”
“Help me work with excellence.”
“Show me somebody I can encourage.”
“Let my life represent You.”
Then walk inside.
Your workplace isn't merely where you earn money.
For the Christian—
IT IS PART OF YOUR MISSION FIELD.
MONDAY IS SOMEBODY'S BAD DAY
Remember that.
While you're trying to survive your Monday, somebody around you may be carrying something far heavier.
A coworker may have cried all weekend.
A cashier may be worried about rent.
A teacher may be overwhelmed.
A student may be afraid.
A supervisor may be dealing with a family crisis.
Someone you meet Monday may desperately need one person to treat them with kindness.
What if God allowed your paths to cross intentionally?
Suddenly Monday isn't merely:
“What do I have to get through?”
It becomes:
“WHO CAN I HELP ALONG THE WAY?”
WATCH YOUR MONDAY MORNING WORDS
Words set atmosphere.
If your first words are:
“I hate Mondays.”
“This week is going to be terrible.”
“I don't feel like dealing with these people.”
“Here we go again.”
you are preaching a sermon to yourself.
Be careful what you preach.
Try:
“Thank You, Lord, for another day.”
“God will give me what I need.”
“I will handle today one thing at a time.”
“I don't know what this week holds, but God does.”
That's not pretending problems don't exist.
It is deciding problems don't get to define God.
YOU DON'T NEED TO FEEL MOTIVATED TO BE FAITHFUL
This is important.
Some Monday mornings you will feel ready.
Others?
Not even close.
You don't always need motivation.
Sometimes you need discipline.
Get up.
Pray.
Get dressed.
Show up.
Do the work.
Be kind.
Keep your word.
Handle your responsibilities.
Go home.
Thank God.
Rest.
Not every Monday has to be extraordinary.
SOMETIMES FAITHFUL IS ENOUGH.
DON'T TRY TO WIN THE ENTIRE WEEK BY NOON MONDAY
Some people attack Monday like a military operation.
By lunchtime they're exhausted.
Pace yourself.
Jesus understood rhythm.
There were times to minister.
Times to travel.
Times to teach.
Times to pray.
Times to withdraw.
Times to rest.
You are not lazy because you need a break.
You are human.
Work diligently.
But remember:
BURNOUT IS NOT A SPIRITUAL GIFT.
TAKE YOUR LUNCH BREAK
If possible, actually take it.
Step away.
Eat.
Walk.
Pray.
Reset.
Don't spend every break staring at another screen.
Your brain needs space.
Even five quiet minutes can help you return with better focus.
Psalm 46:10 says:
“Be still, and know that I am God...”
Sometimes “be still” is exactly what Monday afternoon needs.
WHEN MONDAY DOESN'T GO ACCORDING TO PLAN
And it won't always.
The car won't start.
Someone calls in sick.
The computer crashes.
The meeting runs long.
A child gets sick.
The boss changes priorities.
Traffic stops.
Something unexpected lands in your lap.
This is where preparation proves its value.
Preparation isn't controlling everything that happens.
It is becoming grounded enough that everything that happens doesn't control you.
Take a moment.
Pray.
Adjust.
Ask:
“What is the next right thing I can do?”
Then do that.
LEAVE ROOM FOR GOD TO INTERRUPT YOUR SCHEDULE
Sometimes what we call an interruption may be an assignment.
Jesus was frequently interrupted.
People stopped Him.
Called to Him.
Touched Him.
Asked Him questions.
Needed help.
We can become so obsessed with completing our Monday checklist that we miss the person God placed directly in front of us.
Get your work done.
Honor your responsibilities.
But remain sensitive.
Perhaps somebody needs encouragement.
Perhaps somebody needs prayer.
Perhaps somebody simply needs you to listen.
SUNDAY NIGHT: A SIMPLE MONDAY PREPARATION
Before going to bed, take a few minutes.
Prepare what you can physically.
Review what matters mentally.
Release what you're carrying emotionally.
Then prepare spiritually.
Pray something like:
“Father, thank You for bringing me through another week and weekend. Tomorrow begins another one. I don't know everything it will contain, but You do. Give me wisdom for every decision, strength for every responsibility, patience with every person, grace for every difficulty, and discernment for every opportunity. Guard my heart, mind, and words. Help me represent Jesus well. I place Monday—and the entire week—into Your hands. In Jesus' name, Amen.”
Then—
GO TO SLEEP.
You have prayed.
God is awake.
You don't both need to stay up worrying.
AND WHEN THE ALARM RINGS...
Don't begin with:
“Oh no.”
Try:
“Thank You, Lord.”
Feet on the floor.
Another day.
Another week.
Another opportunity.
Another chance to serve.
Another chance to love your family.
Another chance to work.
Another chance to encourage somebody.
Another chance to represent Jesus Christ.
Another chance to live the life God has given you.
That sounds considerably different from:
“I hate Mondays.”
YOUR FOUR-PART MONDAY CHECK
Before beginning the week, ask yourself:
MENTALLY: What genuinely needs my attention tomorrow?
PHYSICALLY: Have I given my body reasonable preparation and rest?
EMOTIONALLY: What am I carrying that I need to acknowledge, release, or place before God?
SPIRITUALLY: Have I sought God before asking myself to carry another week?
If one area is empty, pay attention to it.
We function as whole people.
MONDAY DOESN'T HAVE TO DEFEAT YOU
Maybe tomorrow will be difficult.
Nobody can promise otherwise.
But difficulty and defeat are not the same thing.
You can walk into a difficult Monday with:
A prepared mind.
A rested body.
A settled heart.
And a spirit anchored in God.
Philippians 4:13 reminds us:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Not because you are invincible.
Not because Monday suddenly became easy.
But because you aren't walking into it alone.
BEFORE ANOTHER MONDAY MORNING...
Prepare.
Don't panic.
Rest.
Don't rehearse disasters.
Forgive.
Don't carry last week's bitterness into this week's opportunities.
Pray.
Don't wait until something goes wrong to remember God.
And when Monday arrives—
GET UP.
THANK GOD.
OPEN HIS WORD.
PRAY.
GET YOURSELF READY.
AND GO FACE YOUR DAY.
One hour at a time.
One responsibility at a time.
One person at a time.
One prayer at a time.
One opportunity at a time.
And remember:
MONDAY IS NOT JUST THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER WORKWEEK.
For the believer, it is the beginning of another mission field.
Somebody needs your smile.
Somebody needs your patience.
Somebody needs your encouragement.
Somebody needs your integrity.
Somebody may even need to hear about your Jesus.
So prepare yourself mentally.
Prepare physically.
Prepare emotionally.
Above everything else—
PREPARE SPIRITUALLY.
And tomorrow morning, instead of saying:
“Here we go again...”
look toward Heaven and say:
“HERE I AM, LORD. LET'S GO.”
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries International
Your Feet to the Nations
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