Tammy Ingram

Waking Up Already Exhausted

Day 1

“But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.”

—Psalm 88:13

Narrative:

There are mornings—especially in December—when waking up feels like losing. The world demands cheer, schedules, gifts, conversations, small talk, and sparkle. You’re just trying to breathe.

Depression steals the morning before you even start. It makes getting out of bed feel like climbing out of a collapsed building.

God doesn’t shame that. He meets people exactly where they wake up: breathless, depleted, numb.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 143:3–8; Psalm 42:3

Questions:

1. What did you feel within the first 10 seconds of waking up today?
2. What expectation is crushing you the most this season?
3. How can you lower the bar for today without guilt?

Prayer:

God, mornings hurt. I don’t have energy for the day, the people, or the season. Meet me in this exhaustion. I’m not asking for strength—I’m asking for breath. Keep me alive through today. Amen.