Why is it that bad habits are hard to stop and good habits are hard to start? Perhaps it has to do with our fallen nature that is always seeking out ways for our self-pleasure. Through the power of Holy Spirit every bad habit or stronghold can be broken when we put out trust in Him. However, we can’t just break old, bad habits without replacing them with new ones. The 7 good habits listed below are just the beginning. Once these habits are in place, it’s time to expand your goals and visions to other areas of your life.
Habit #1) Praying throughout the day.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
It’s good to have a set time to pray especially in the morning before your day gets started. Yet we must also develop the habit of praying to God all throughout the day as well. A continual on-going conversation with God will keep you close to the Spirit’s leading and direction in your life. It’s doesn’t have to always be audible, but a quiet spiritual connection that’s never broken.
Habit #2) Studying the Bible regularly.
“But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:5-6).
In order to study the Bible regularly there needs to be a plan in place. If we wait until we think about it—we will fill our minds and calendars with many good things to get done—but the Bible will either be last or forgotten. The key is to have certain scriptures to study, to memorize, and to meditate. They don’t have to be the same ones, but rather focusing on those the Spirit is giving you the most direction and pressing towards.
Habit #3) Loving the people around you.
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
Loving those people God has placed around us isn’t always easy. People in our home, work, and church are just like us—selfish and unknowingly inconsiderate at times. Yet we are called to love not only in our words, but in action. The love we receive from God is more than enough to share with those around us. The measure of love that you can reveal is only limited by your own will and desire.
Habit #4) Forgiving those who’ve offended you.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).
As much as we would like forgiving others to be a one and done deal—it rarely is; actually, we may find ourselves having to forgive over and over for the same transgressions. Our action or inaction is a witness of our own attitudes. God uses the difficult people in our lives to reveal His grace and mercy within us. Forgiving others is a choice that we can give to others as we receive it from God.
Habit #5) Thanking God every day.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
When we neglect the habit of thankfulness, discontentment has a way of slipping in the back door of our hearts. Having a thankful attitude every single day is a mental, emotional, and spiritual journey that will lead to peace and contentment. Because we are followers of Christ, we can never run out of things to be thankful for. His presence in our lives will always compel us to find something to give thanks to God for His provision and blessing.
Habit #6) Speaking words of encouragement.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
Sometimes we can be selfish with giving out words of encouragement. Perhaps we think other people don’t need to hear it or maybe we are just being lazy about doing it. The power of our words can have a tremendous impact on the lives of other people whether good or bad. The daily habit of speaking encouraging words to others can have a ripple effect on your home, work, or school.
Habit #7) Meditating on God’s goodness.
“‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good—except God alone’” (Luke 18:19).
It’s baffling to the human mind how much God loves the world. His goodness knows no end especially as He sent His one and only Son to the cross for a whole world of people who had no interest in Him. He provides all of our needs according to His riches, He blesses us even when we are sleeping, and He makes everything turn for good to those who love Him. A daily habit of looking and meditating on God’s goodness will give a fresh perspective on life in general.
Healthy Habits Start Right Now!
Instead of reading about good habits, how about starting one today? Begin with praying to God about your inadequacy to follow through and ask Him to give you the strength to make it. It’s said that habits take about 21 days to become a part of your life. Take the first step to pray and incorporate good habits into every part of your life.
Article by Crystal McDowell
Crystal McDowell is a writer, speaker, and teacher with a passion to encourage believers to know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of God’s word.
Crystal and her husband, Marshall, raise their five children in the Bloomington, IL. As a freelance writer and editor for over 13 years, Crystal has published numerous Christian curriculums for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She’s a weekly staff writer for www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com as well as writing her own blog at http://crystalmcdowellspeaks.blogspot.com.
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