Fighting Old Habits
Being born again is a daily walk. We are called to pick up our cross daily. One thing I’ve learned is that turning away from destructive habits isn’t a one-time event. The fight takes place DAILY! The enemy is not satisfied until you are defeated, and will come at you time and time again with increasing strength to defeat you.
Every day is another round, and some days you won’t win. I had to accept that, instead of giving up entirely when I messed up, I needed to get back up and keep fighting. It’s not how hard you can hit but how hard you can GET HIT and get back up. Proverbs 24:16 states the righteous falls 7 times, they rise again!
This claim tells me 2 things, 1. They fell more than one time and 2. They never stopped getting back up.
It’s scripture’s like these that give me confidence and reassurance that I can live without regrets of my mistakes and just keep pushing forward. When you feel like you can’t fight anymore or having a hard time fighting this is where God shows his strength. When we are weak it is HE that is strong.
it’s time to start being honest with yourself about the things convicting you. What I looked at online and how I was spending my time told much about no one else but me.
Really take a step back and look at your life and ask your journal. Does my actions honor God or me? If your answer is you then you are on the wrong track.
Feeding my spirit instead of my flesh has become a huge focus. If I wake up and immediately grab my phone to scroll social media, I know that I’m probably going to have a rough time fighting off temptations later. Filling that gap with spiritual feeding habits, like morning prayer/meditation or a walk, helps give my day a much-needed foundation. Sometimes, writing in a journal or simply sitting in silence can help break the cycle.
Replacing Old Patterns with New Habits
Breaking bad habits is really about filling that empty space with something better. Idle hands are the devil’s playground. Fill your daily routine with righteous thoughts and exercises. For instance, whenever I catch myself slipping into old ways, like checking out content I shouldn’t be viewing or speaking negatively online, I take a pause and listen to that voice telling me no, I grab my Bible or a devotional, and spend some moments praying instead. When I don’t feel that initial urge to pray or read, I turn on my favorite radio station Klove. This station plays inspirational music That’s uplifting.
Music that has a spiritual message often leaves me to pray and read the word of God. Being mindful of my choices has become important to me.
My actions are under my control and the choices I make are totally mines. Being intentional to choose positive habits over habits that are critical to a righteous path. Starting the day with a verse from the Bible and a prayer is mandatory, because I know it helps in the long run.
Sharing the love of God with others doesn’t have to be complicated either. It’s not really what you say of course our speech should be positive and free of cursing. The main focus is what you do, and how you behave. Sharing a word of encouragement showing an act of kindness is all it takes. It’s always easy to encourage and love those we are close with. What about the ones that are deemed our enemies? How well can you show love and encouragement where the atmosphere has negative history?
One of my old habits that needed much work was my anger. Fighting fire with fire was all I knew. It’s the only way I felt satisfied or respected.
As a disciple of Christ I needed to begin living as he lived. He That is in me is greater than He That is in the world. I became a new creature that began to lean on the teachings of Christ. How to Forgive when it feels impossible takes constant counsel in prayer, fasting, and reading of the Bible.
When I focus on encouraging friends or simply being kind in a comment section, it completely shifts my mindset and makes it easier to avoid falling back into old routines. Doing small acts of kindness or lending a hand to someone in need can help redirect my energy in a positive direction. Showing mercy becomes not so heavy when positive energy resides in you. Be prepared to fight your battle everyday family.
Until next time,
Geoff
