Habits

Yesterday I went for a walk.  I am trying to make a new habit of getting some exercise,  which I've been really neglectful of the last six months or so.  Somewhere, some how this time of fresh air, sunshine and God has slipped on my priority list to almost nothing.  

I opened up my Joyce Meyer podcasts and saw the set on Breaking Bad Habits.  Well, I definitely have a bunch of those so I decided to take a listen.  One of the things that Joyce says its is that maybe we should look at it as making good habits rather than breaking bad ones.  

So this morning I got my coffee and came into my office to spend some time with the Lord.  I start off with "31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers.  Lo and behold the reading today was on transforming ourselves.  Ruth reminded me that it is not I that do the work, but Jesus.  My job is to make the choices that the Holy Spirit presents as good, and He does the transforming inside.  

Ruth writes, "Thank You that, instead, You are at work in me and in my situation to break old patterns of thought and action, to create within me both the desire and the power to do Your gracious will...and to make me a joy to you in new ways."   Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.  

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  As we spend time in the Word and with God, our minds are transformed.  Transforming the way we think is the start of changing the way we act.  In God's Word we learn what He wants, what pleases Him and what doesn't.  I have a real bad habit of complaining (and God hates this...not me, but the complaining).  In  reading the Bible I learn how God feels about complaining and grumbling.  Ugh.  He is not happy with it!  So my strategy is to replace complaining with something that does please God....thankfulness.  1 Thessalonians 5:18  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  My goal is to replace a bad knee jerk reaction with a good one.  Like Joyce reminded me in her teaching yesterday, we overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

In the mornings I usually get up, take care of the cats, empty the dishwasher and grab a cup of coffee.  I then proceed to play on my phone, maybe do a small chore or two...then I get into my time with God.  Well, I've been convicted a few times lately that this is not what the Lord wants for me. In fact a few of the ladies at my BSF group admitted they had the same struggle with their mornings.  But I feel the Lord  wants me to make our time a priority. So my goal is now to take care of the necessary and leave the trivial.  I do not need to play a few games on my phone before I spend time with my Father.  I do not need to wipe down the kitchen or deep clean the dishwasher first.  I've been doing this since Monday.  I've heard it said that if you do something for 21 (or 30 depending on who you're listening to) days it becomes a habit.  Well I'm working towards that goal with prioritizing my time with the Lord.  I'm even working on my downtime in the evening to include more sweet fellowship with my Lord.  I think that's even harder then the mornings because I'm tired then.  LOL  But the Lord will help me prevail!  

Another way to break bad habits is to be around people who encourage you in the faith.  People that hold your accountable and speak wisely the things of God.  Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.  

Recently I spent some time with people that are not walking with God.  I can tell you it was an eye-opener.  As much as I love this person, I missed my Christians sisters.  The conversation was so different.  I  missed the joy, the upbeat nature, the peace that comes from being with fellow believers, even when we are talking about heavy things.  There is a difference and that difference is Jesus.  We may struggle and go through awful things, but we have hope because we stand on the Rock.  And that security and knowledge infuses itself with every conversation.  

So today, I seek to make my good habits the norm in my life. I know I have the Holy Spirit to guide, lead, correct and empower me to do this.   I'm glad I can't wear Him out with all the correcting he needs to do when it comes to me!  LOL  Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

We're going to do this!!

Lord, thank You that You are the author and finisher of our faith.  We are not saved by You and then just given a list of dos and donts and told to go on and work it out.  No, You lead us, You teach us, You give us the right desires and the ability to carry them out.  And You never tire of us!  Thank You.  Help us all to make good habits starting right now!  We love You and want to be pleasing in Your sight.  We want to live lives worthy of Your Name, lives of peace and joy and fruitfulness.  It's in Jesus Name we pray.  Amen. 

Make one good habit starting today.