How to Quit Your Snooze Button For Good: Take Back Your Mornings with the Jesus Challenge
A blaring alarm pierces your warm, deep sleep. Snuggled under warm blankets, groggy, eyes half-open, you can’t let yourself about the day ahead. 🥱
SLAP. Your hand hits the snooze button.
“Just five more minutes makes all the difference. I need this.”
Suddenly you’ve smacked the button five times, and your morning’s cut down to the last possible minute. You throw off the covers, jump into some clothes, and race to get out the door. No time for breakfast, let alone a quiet moment with God.
“It’s fine, I’ll just do it later.” But let’s be honest, how often does that *really* happen? 🫣As the day unfolds, so does your list of deadlines and obligations. And that precious time with God gets cut from your day once again.
Is It Really Worth It??
It’s not just about starting your day on the wrong foot. That morning rush sets a tone of stress and hurriedness for the day, pushing your quiet time with Jesus to the back burner.
You probably feel that lack of connection all day –
😰 Anxious
😤 Restless
😵💫 Unanchored
Those few extra minutes you needed certainly made all the difference, but NOT in the way you hoped.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that time with God in the morning is just one more thing to add to your to-do list. And when that shrill alarm interrupts your rest, time with God sounds trivial compared to the indulgence of five more minutes.
Friend, that fragmented sleep and stressed-out day is not the solution you’re looking for.
The Jesus Challenge is a practical, realistic way to reclaim your morning time and break free of your snooze button. And it’s not about forcing yourself out of bed with dread. It’s about surrendering your heart in those early moments and setting the stage for a day grounded in God’s truth.
With my 40-day Christian walking challenge, you’re not just quitting the snooze button – you’re transforming your entire day! 🤩
Let’s dive into how my Walk With Jesus challenge is the turning point you’ve been looking for.
Why Is it So Hard to Get Up?
Those extra minutes of sleep after hitting the snooze button feel like a little gift to yourself. But why does it feel so impossible to keep your eyes open and roll out of bed? 😫
To fully understand the gravity of starting your day with Jesus, we first need to understand what happens when we sleep through it.
The Psychological and Physical Need for Sleep
Sleep expert Dr. Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep, says our bodies naturally crave consistent, quality sleep. Sleep fuels our cognitive functions, emotional stability, and physical health. When we get less sleep than our body needs for optimal performance, our bodies try to make up for that lost time, creating that strong urge to sleep in just a bit longer.
The Real Cost of Snoozing
Letting yourself go back to sleep every five minutes might feel like you’re doing your body a favor, but it actually sets you up for a day that’s more physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and spiritually disconnected. 😞
Every time you snooze, you continuously disrupt your natural sleep cycle. This leaves you feeling groggy and grumpy waking up, making it harder to focus, manage your emotions, and feel truly rested.
Delaying your wake-up time usually means you’re rushing through your morning routine, skipping important moments of prayer, or even just a peaceful breakfast. Dr. William C. Dement, a founder in the field of sleep, says this rushed start lays a foundation of anxiety and stress for your day.
When your day starts with chaos, it feels impossible to recenter yourself. Because as soon as you get out the door, you run into more needs, deadlines, pressures, and expectations. And without any time with Jesus, you’re ill-equipped to handle the challenges of your day. 🥺
Why Starting Your Morning with Jesus Is Worth Your Sleep
Whew! That was depressing. Now that we’ve dissected that sad reality, let’s look at the other side of the coin.
Starting your day with intention sets the tone for everything to come. Imagine waking up tomorrow morning, not to chaos and hurriedness, but to peace, clarity, and a sense of direction. 😌 Don’t you think that experience will shape and mold your mindset for the rest of the day? What a dream come true!
The benefits of starting your day with Jesus unfold the moment you begin on that first morning, and they only grow over time.
Let’s look at some of these outcomes I know you’re eager to experience. 🤤
-
Calm in the chaos. ⚓
The moment your toes hit the cold floor, the whirlwind begins. But when you intentionally step away from the unread notifications, the list of to-dos, and the schedule, there’s an undeniable sense of calm. Spending a few meaningful, focused minutes reading God’s Word and listening to His voice centers your mind and heart. It prepares you to face the day’s demands with deep peace.
-
Clarity and focus. 🎯
How often do you race through the morning, scatterbrained and overwhelmed? By holding the first moments of your day sacred and giving them to the Lord, you’ll find your thoughts are clearer and your priorities fall into their rightful place. Suddenly you’re not just reacting to your day – you’re moving through it with intention. - Gratitude. 🙏 Even before the coffee kicks in, soaking in God’s Word helps you recognize His goodness etched in every moment of your life. And that humble, grateful mindset doesn’t just stay with you – it spills over into your interactions with your kids, spouse, coworkers, and random strangers who might be having a terrible day.
- Surrender. 🤲 Starting your morning with God is an act of giving up what YOU think is best, YOUR best plan for the day, YOUR strengths, and YOUR goals. You get to hold your day out with open hands and let the Holy Spirit guide you into what He knows is best for you.
- Confidence. 💪 This is a big one! When you commit yourself and your day to the Lord from the very start, you can handle anything that might come your way. But it’s not you – you’re confident in GOD’S victory for you. You can rest easily and without worry that He makes all things work together for your good.
- Sensitivity. 👂Asking God to speak to you shapes your heart's awareness and receptiveness to His voice. This means you hear the Holy Spirit nudge you to share the Gospel with that person on the bus. Or open your eyes to see beauty in a challenge. Or help you be more patient with someone who irritates you.
- Purpose. ❤️🔥Instead of letting your to-do list dictate your every move, starting your day with Jesus makes Him the ruler over your decisions, actions, and thoughts. You go through your day confidently, knowing that everything He leads you to do has an eternal, life-changing purpose.
I have good news, friend – this is entirely possible for you! In the next section, we’ll explore how the Jesus Challenge helps you reclaim your mornings and sets you up for a victorious day.
How the Jesus Challenge Offers Built-In Morning Time with God
So how exactly does this work?
When you sign up for my virtual Christian walking challenge, you commit to 40 days of walking or running one mile per day. While you walk or run, you read a pre-assigned portion of Scripture.
It’s that simple.
“Ok… But how *exactly* does this help me start my mornings with Jesus?”
Great question! Here’s how the Jesus Challenge offers a practical, built-in morning routine.
- You wake up intending to get outside. It’s a meeting you’ve scheduled with God, and you can’t miss it. You’re not just moving from your bed to that comfy chair where you easily nod off again. No, you’re actually lacing up your shoes to walk out the door. 🚶 This helps you wake up and get your body’s systems pumping.
- You’re not alone. 🤝 You join a committed, encouraging group of participants in a private Facebook group who will do everything in their power to cheer you on, challenge you, and encourage you out the door every morning. Lean on them – they’ve got you!
- I give you a structured Bible reading plan. It takes the guesswork out of where to start and gives you no excuse for not spending time in the Word.
- You can see your progress. My virtual Christian walking challenge helps you track your commitment and growth over time. This visual encouragement makes it easier to stick with the habit, especially when you see how consistently spending mornings with Jesus positively impacts your whole life. 😍
- You can chase down your physical health goals. My virtual Jesus challenge is about developing both physical and spiritual health. If you’re ready to move without pain, fit into smaller clothes, and feel more comfortable in your skin, the Jesus Challenge is for you!
My 40-day Christian walking challenge isn’t about getting up earlier – it’s about transforming your posture and preparing you to face a day of challenges. By starting your day with prayer, Scripture, and reflection, you give God the first fruits of your time and devotion.
The Jesus Challenge – A Direct Copy of Jesus’s Morning Routine
Don’t be fooled. My Walk With Jesus challenge isn’t a random program I came up with. 😄It directly mirrors the habits of Jesus Himself.
Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus had a habit of getting up and going away to pray. We see it mostly clearly in Mark 1:35, “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.”
Each phrase carries importance in our understanding of time with the Lord. Let’s break it down:
1️⃣ “In the early morning, while it was still dark”
Jesus got up before everyone else; before he could be interrupted by well-intentioned people and the demands of the day. He gave up the small comfort of sleeping a bit longer to start His day with the Father.
2️⃣ “Jesus got up”
Though you might normally skim past this phrase, it might be the most important one. When the Father called Him to spend time with Him, Jesus physically got up. He obeyed. He surrendered some sleep, considering an encounter with the Father far more valuable. The Father then provided for His every need, including energy and stamina for the day ahead.
3️⃣ “left the house and went away to a secluded place”
Jesus could only enjoy uninterrupted time in His Father’s presence alone and away from his surroundings. I recently published a blog about the importance of solitude in our time with the Lord. You can read it here.
4️⃣ “and was praying there.”
This is it, right here. This is the goal. This is why Jesus got up early, and why we do. We sacrifice a small amount of comfort to commune with the living, powerful God.
➡️This is where God gets our undivided attention.
➡️This is where God fills us with power and wisdom to navigate the day.
➡️This is where we rest and delight in God’s presence and love for us.
➡️This is the source of all our energy, ministry, and daily accomplishments.
So if Jesus – who is God Himself – needed morning time with the Father, how much more do we?! Why wouldn’t we say “yes, Lord!” when the Father calls us away from our comfort to receive riches worth more than gold from the heart of God Himself? 🤯
By participating in my 40-day Christian walking challenge, you’re not just building a God-honoring morning routine – you’re following in the footsteps of Christ. Just like Jesus found His peace, purpose, and power in those early morning hours, you too can experience a deep connection with God that sets the tone for your day.
Practical Tips for Success
Mornings are rough. And as much as you might want to enjoy morning time with God, it just seems impossible to make it come true. 😥
Let me help you make this a little more practical. Here are some steps you can take today to make morning time with Jesus a reality!
👟 Evening prep. Lay out your walking shoes, outfit, and Bible the night before. Get your coffee and mug ready to go.
🛌 Go to bed earlier. I know, I know – easier said than done. But if you want to get up early, your body still needs that sleep to function well. It helps to create a wind-down routine the hour before you want to go to bed. Try dimming the lights, drinking non-caffeinated tea, and reading something relaxing.
📵 Put your phone away an hour before bedtime. The blue light prevents you from settling into deep, easy sleep.
🙏 As you go to bed, ask God to wake you up in the morning. After all, He desires to spend time with you, too!
⏰ Set a loud alarm across the room. This forces you to get out of bed in the morning to turn it off. Once you’re out of bed, DON’T GET BACK IN.
📅 Write it down in your calendar as a date with Jesus. It’s an unmissable date with someone who loves and cares for you in all the ways you long for. When you think of it that way, it’s easier to look forward to getting out of bed.
👥 Get an accountability partner. Reach out to the Jesus Challenge Facebook group to find one. Every morning, text this person when you’re walking out the door. Knowing someone is waiting for that text is incredibly motivating.
Take Your Peace Back With the Jesus Challenge
Starting your day with Jesus isn’t just about you. It’s one of the most powerful decisions you could make for yourself AND your loved ones.
Your kids.
Your marriage.
Your family.
Your coworkers.
When you’re grounded and steady in the Lord, I know for a fact, that you’re a light to everyone who interacts with you. 🤗 And I’m not talking about a fake mask that says you never have problems. I’m talking about the true joy of the Lord that centers you no matter your circumstances.
But it’s a decision that requires action – real, intentional steps that start right now.
My virtual Jesus challenge is a tool to help you do just that – take the action necessary to get your mornings back and ground yourself in God’s Word. It makes spending time with God not just a wishful thought, but a reality.
A Loving Challenge For You 🫶
Please stop letting your mornings slip by in fragmented, restless sleep that only leaves you more tired and unfulfilled. That minuscule amount of unsatisfying comfort is nothing compared to the reward of peace, joy, and purpose to guide your day.
Are you ready to make a change? I think so. 😍
Sign up for my virtual Christian walking challenge below and take the first step to setting yourself up for a rich relationship with Jesus. Your day – and your life – will never be the same!