It’s pretty easy to write about things I know about. I think everybody has bad habits of some kind. I can’t see how a person could be that disciplined 24 hours a day. Why do we have them and how do we get past them?
There have been times in my life I was successful for a time conquering a bad habit but then months later the weakness that started the habit in the first place came back. It’s high time to jump in and figure this out!
I believe these weaknesses are spiritual, physical and mental. After we do something for a while it becomes a habit therefore, we are giving it space in our brain. With somethings, we are creating a physical craving in our body as in sugar and junk food, binging on TV or being lazy etc. The spiritual side comes in because of our weakness. Satan loves to find our weaknesses and he fuels the fire as often as he can. Now in our procrastination, these habits we have created become somethings very hard to overcome that tend to cause us many problems.
This bible verse is kind of gross but you know what, it’s never left my mind and I am reminded of it every time my bad habits cause me health issues or when I live with buyer’s remorse.
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
I have a few good quotes to share.
“You leave old habits behind by starting out with the thought, ‘I release the need for this in my life’.” – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
I have recognized that I sometimes do things without thought. I believe the key is to stop and think, then say NO. Also, a great thing to start would be to say what Dr. Dyer says and then ask the Lord each time to help me overcome my weakness. Yes, it’s going to take effort and thought, but from what I read in the Bible, God says I’m worth the effort.
“The secret of change is to focus all your energy NOT on fighting the old but on BUILDING the new.” – Socrates
I believe by, saying NO, and saying, “I release the need for this in my life and then asking the Lord for help, I will begin to focus my energy on the new me, the one that’s leaving the bad habits behind. By doing this I will become the person God intended me to be. I need to anticipate looking and feeling better-being free as much as I would look forward to a vacation.
“How does one become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.” – Unknown
It seems that we have to suffer enough to want to change. We must desire something better so much that we will do these things. We have to want to fly freely without the baggage and the consequences of our bad habits. I believe the only way to keep moving forward is to also make myself remember the pain and consequence of my bad habits. I always seem to forget them when I feel better and that has been my downfall.
The other thing I know to be true is, I am not good to myself or to God living in the folly of bad habits. You know what? I’m tired of missing out on things because I chose to eat things that bother me and so on. This is not God’s best for me. It’s time to kick Satan to the curb and let God in every area of my life.
Prayer
Lord, I don’t hate myself but I’m unhappy with myself. You made me perfect in your sight but I’ve taken your best and mindlessly messed it up. Lord, I know all things are possible with you as in Philippians 4:13 so help me Lord overcome these weaknesses so I can be what you have called me to be. I know I need to spend more time in your presence and in your word. Thank you, Lord for creating me. Help me find that better version of me, in Jesus’ name, amen.
God Bless
Sally
