Habits

Everyone has habits—some good and some bad. A habit is something we do without even thinking; it’s a behavior that is developed through frequent repetition. First we form habits, and then they form us. We are what we repeatedly do!

Studying God’s Word is the key to establishing healthy habits that bring joy, peace and power to our lives because godly wisdom is the foundation of every good attitude and behavior. It’s true that changing our habits isn’t always easy, and it will require some effort. But the good news is we don’t have to do it alone or in our own strength. God will give us the ability to do it as we “walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit].”

The Holy Spirit is with us to help us. He is our Partner—our Strength and Support—and as we do what we can to consistently follow His leadership, we’ll have the strength we need to make good habits. Studying the Word is the most important part of this process because it’s the way we learn how to follow His lead.

Some habits in our lives can seem overwhelming and impossible to change—especially if we’ve lived with them for a long time. But God will meet us where we are. He will always honor our faith and give us the grace to make the changes we want to make. Make the decision to trust God and not give up!

Walk It Out

Take a closer look at Galatians 5:16. Are you habitually following the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life? Are there any bad habits you really want to break? We all have an area of our lives we can improve. Think about a personal goal you want to achieve in your daily routine, like being on time at work, not overeating, spending quality time with your kids, keeping up with the laundry, etc. Then pray and ask God to show you how “human nature without God” is hindering you from establishing the good habit you desire. Study other scriptures about the Holy Spirit and how He is your helper to overcome attitudes and behaviors you want to change.