by Debbie Wicker BCCC
One of the first commandments God gave to Moses at Mount Sinai was to love Him. I believe this is much more than a command—it is an invitation to experience the life God designed for us.
When we begin each day by turning our hearts toward God, something remarkable happens. Praising Him, expressing gratitude, and seeking His guidance establish a positive foundation for everything that follows. The more we train ourselves to embrace God’s presence and His purpose for our lives, the more we discover the joy and peace that make life truly worth living.
The Power of Starting with God
As a Christian counselor, I spend much of my time talking with people who are struggling emotionally. Many come to me overwhelmed by bitterness, anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, and frustration. Much of our counseling focuses on understanding and healing these painful emotions.
One truth I frequently share is that God created us to experience lives filled primarily with positive, life-giving emotions. I often suggest that healthy emotional living should consist of roughly 80% positive emotions. Most people are surprised by this idea because their daily experience feels exactly the opposite. Their lives are dominated by negative emotions, and many don’t understand why. They simply know they are miserable.
One of the first steps I encourage is surprisingly simple: begin each day by loving God.
A Morning of Gratitude
When I wake up and intentionally focus on loving God, my heart naturally fills with gratitude and peace. I appreciate the many blessings He has given me instead of dwelling on what I lack. I praise Him, reflect on the day ahead, and ask Him to guide my thoughts, words, and actions.
Instead of beginning my day with worry or discouragement, I begin with hope, thankfulness, and restoration.
The psalmist beautifully describes this pattern:
I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
What a wonderful reminder that no matter what happened yesterday, God’s mercy meets us again each morning.
Learning to Love and Follow God
When we choose to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, we cultivate the very emotions that help us flourish. Loving God fills us with hope, peace, gratitude, and purpose.
God is constantly pursuing us because He loves us deeply. He knows what is best for us and gently leads us away from choices that bring pain and toward a life that brings healing. Because He created us in His image, He understands exactly what we need.
As we respond to His love and place our trust in Him, our lives begin to change from the inside out.
When We Choose Our Own Way
Throughout my years as a Christian counselor, I have also noticed another pattern.
Many people who have no relationship with God are deeply unhappy. They have spent years directing their own lives, pursuing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it. While they may appear successful or content on the outside, beneath the surface they often carry years—even decades—of disappointment, loneliness, anger, or regret.
Behind a carefully maintained facade is frequently a heart longing for peace.
In more than fifteen years of counseling hundreds of individuals, I have repeatedly seen how refusing God’s guidance leaves people struggling under burdens they were never meant to carry. Yet I have also witnessed the incredible transformation that begins when someone finally turns toward God, accepts His love, and allows Him to restore what has been broken.
There Are Two Roads
I often tell people that life ultimately presents us with two roads.
One road is walking in God’s love, guidance, and protection.
The other is trying to navigate life entirely on our own.
The first commandment—to love God—is not simply a rule to obey. It is the doorway to a transformed life. As we choose to love Him first each morning, our hearts become more peaceful, our minds more hopeful, and our lives more aligned with the One who created us.
Every morning is a new opportunity to begin again.
Choose to love God first, and let Him shape the day that lies ahead.
About the Author
Debbie Wicker is a Board Certified Christian Counselor who brings a thoughtful mental health perspective to the study of the Bible. With more than 15 years of counseling experience, Debbie helps individuals understand Scripture not only spiritually, but emotionally and psychologically as well.
Before entering counseling, Debbie was a partner in a Big 8 public accounting firm, where she built a successful career in management consulting. After a mid-life career change, she felt called to integrate faith and mental health — equipping others to grow spiritually while addressing real-life struggles with wisdom and compassion.
Through the-Bible.net, Debbie writes to help readers better understand God’s Word, human nature, and the transforming power of Christ.