I have been doing a study lately, called “Habits” by Life Church, on the YouVersion Bible app.
Habits Devotional
Though it is a short, well written devotional, it is so convicting! A sword of the Spirit piercing right through my heart.
Yes, I did choose to read this on purpose, because I know I needed to hear truth about my habits from God’s Word.
Our habits don’t just happen – they are triggered by a desire or need we seek to meet.
Habit Loop
Today’s devotional talked about the habit loop: cue, routine, and reward.
For example, you sit down to watch TV at night (cue), grab a tasty snack (routine), and your body feels better from positive chemicals released in your body (reward).
Ouch!! So convicting! This has been a constant struggle for me to break this habit.
Since our bodies store more fat from food we eat at night, and the food keeps me awake, I’ve been reminding myself of a different reward. Better sleep!
However, when I get the snack craving, mint gum works for me. It actually tricks my body into thinking I’m not hungry.
Also, sometimes you think you are hungry, you are really just tired or thirsty – same chemical in the body is so confusing sometimes!
Scriptures to Reflect
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.“
James 1:12-25 ESV
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.“
Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV
“…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.“
Psalms 26:2 NIV
“Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;“
Be Encouraged
Know you are not alone in having bad habits to break. Don’t be afraid to make the first step, just because you might mess up. Get back up, and try again. God is faithful to help you and give you a way out, to resist temptation.
Remember, life isn’t just the here and now – with Jesus, it’s forever.
Helps put your life in perspective and ask yourself,
“Will this affect my eternity?“
“Will this still matter to me later in life?”
Be wise with the time you have in this life – don’t waste it.
