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Let's talk about habits today. We all have something we want to start and stick with, or something we want to break and stay committed to.
There are many things we can start and stick with; it just takes the desire to begin and the motivation to maintain it.
So many times, I have started a workout regimen. Sometimes I am motivated and ready to get started, and I stick with it. Other times I start, but by the end of the week, I’m tired and don’t continue. There are variations in between, but these experiences still happen though they are very different.
The only thing I can think of is that my heart isn't really in it. I want to, and I think I’m mentally ready, but... Yes, but there is always something that switches off, and I just stop.
If our hearts and minds are not in the right place, we will not be able to keep our focus and motivation. The same happens when we want to start new healthy habits, including those related to our spiritual walks. At some point, we will be ready to go all in, but until then, we can keep trying. It is important to keep trying.
Mark 12:30 says, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”
When we want to start new habits and want to be successful, we should start by going to God and asking for guidance and help to continue.
If we start off with God leading, we are more likely to continue.
Let’s say you want to read through the whole Bible, and you start, but about the time you get to the book of let's say Numbers, you start wondering if you can continue. Because you have already gone to the Lord and asked Him to see you through, you can be confident that He will help you and teach you something along the way.
Romans 8:6 says, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
When we let the Lord lead us, our healthy habits will be His and not ours, and therefore nothing in the world will keep us from them. The temptation to stop or the reason why you can't seem to fade a way the more and more you push through.
Psalm 86:12 says, “With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever.”
Praising the Lord in all situations is another healthy habit we can learn to do.
We get so sidetracked by our circumstances that we don’t think about praising the Lord for what we are walking through.
There have been plenty of times that, instead of praising the Lord, I have questioned Him. But every time I have questioned I find myself then asking for peace and understanding, He has given it. He is consistent is His word.
Psalm 94:19 says, “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
Because of that constant answer of peace and understanding through so many things, I have come to know that with God, all will be okay, He is consistent and faithful and therefore I can praise Him through it all.