Change is a part of life whether we expect it, like it, or want it, for it is inevitable; but personal growth is optional. Personal growth will only occur when we decide to take the necessary steps to achieve the outcome we desire. How we think and our resulting actions will play a crucial role in effecting change, for anything, when done repeatedly, can develop into a habit.
Habits are patterns of behaviour that people repeat without thinking or making much effort. Most habits are automatic and involuntary. Others can be meaningless actions that become part of our daily routine. Our habits can either positively or negatively affect our lives. Healthy habits are positive things…support your physical and mental health. Regular exercise and maintaining a balanced diet are two examples of healthy habits. But negative habits, such as smoking, are not only harmful for you but may be harmful to others. Can you identify any actions or behaviours that you keep doing over and over? Now that they have become habits, how have they affected your life?
Motivational speaker Brian Tracy said that, “Good habits are hard to develop but easy to live with; bad habits are easy to develop but hard to live with. The habits you have and the habits that have you will determine almost everything you achieve or fail to achieve.” What a powerful statement! I had to pause and reflect on my own journey in light of it. How have my habits, whether good or bad, affected my life?
To be honest, it seems sometimes that it is easier and quicker to pick up a bad habit than it is to develop and sustain a good one. And then, there is the struggle to let go of that habit because it has become ingrained in our brains and behaviours.
Some habits provide temporary relief but have long-term consequences. Others are tied to certain triggers which are likely to persist if not identified. What about those habits that serve as coping mechanisms for deeper emotional issues? Hence the saying, ‘old habits die hard’? This is often used when someone is finding it extremely difficult to change a long-standing pattern of behaviour.
The good news though is that our habits and behaviours can be changed as we take responsibility, practice self-discipline, and allow the transformative power of God to do the rest.
“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” Romans 12:2 Good News Translation
THE HABIT LOOP
It is true that our mindset plays a big role in shaping our behaviour and breaking bad habits, but how were these habits formed in the first place?
Habits are complex and personal. The habit loop is a concept or idea made popular by Pulitzer Prize recipient, author and journalist Charles Duhigg. This process of building (or forming a habit) is said to be done through a cycle divided into three steps: cue, routine, and reward.
The cue is the trigger or factor that prompts the behaviour or habit. The routine is the responding action or behaviour, and the reward is the benefit or pleasure you get from the behaviour. When this pattern or cycle is repeated, it becomes more involuntary and automatic.
Now, how can we use this knowledge to break a habit?
BREAKING FREE
First, identify the cue that triggers the habit. Next, change the routine by replacing the bad habit with a good one. And lastly, keep the reward by ensuring the new habit still satisfies the same need.
As we endeavour to become who God wants us to be, we must continue to identify and replace bad habits with good and godly habits such as:
1. Taking care of our bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Our body is a gift from God. We honour Him when we do our part to maintain it through healthy eating, exercise, rest, and avoiding harmful habits.
2. Having an attitude of gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks.” Gratitude shifts our focus from what we don’t have to what we do have.
3. Being prayerful (Phil 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.”) Prayer is simply talking with God and inviting Him into every area of our lives and every situation we face. More prayer, more power. Less prayer, less power.
4. Practise spiritual fasting. This is a way for us to discipline our bodies/refresh by abstaining from food for a period of time. As we fast from physical food, we feed our spirits by praying and reading the Word of God, which draws us closer to Him. Fasting humbles and helps us to resist temptations and grow in the spirit of self-control, so enabling us to break bad habits. Mark 9:29
Ultimately our habits can either draw us closer to God or drive Him away from us. Our habits shape our behaviour, and our behaviour becomes our character. Our character plays an important role in our relationship with God because it determines how we will respond to Him and the instructions He gives us. If we are to become the true worshippers that God is looking for, we must endeavour to develop and practise good and Godly habits for our good and His glory.
Until next time, keep on becoming!
Lisa May Dillon, a pastor and worship leader in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is creator of the podcast, Becoming A True Worshipper.