🗓Date: Tuesday, 15th March 2022
📣Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 13
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good. Who are accustomed to evil and even trained to do it.” Jeremiah 13:23 AMP
Habits are the things we repeatedly do, the patterns that shape our lives, and the actions we take in moments of uncertainty. Habits can be as minor as television programs we consistently watch or as significant as addictions. And they can be hard to break.
A recent study demonstrated how people could become prisoners of their habits. A series of experiments proved that “when people are stressed out and tired, they return to their fundamental routines—whether those are good or bad.”
Participants in the study consistently fell back onto both desirable and undesirable habits, such as eating the same foods simultaneously. When facing stressful conditions, people always reacted the same way, even when they wanted to change.
Researchers found practical ways to help break undesired habits. They encouraged establishing new habits and changing the environment to remove the “visual trigger” that stimulated habitual behaviour. It also can be helpful to “plan ahead,” anticipating problems that might occur and then doing whatever is necessary to “disrupt established patterns,” changing the sequence of actions.
Many Believers struggle to overcome undesirable habits. As Jeremiah described, changing the patterns that are ingrained in our lives can be hard to do, and as Jesus described, a “tree is known by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33).
But we can call on God when we need to break bad habits or start good ones. This is done when we commit our challenges and problems to Him, filling our minds with His Word and obeying His principles.
As you look forward to the year, ask God to help you establish Godly habits in your life. Be filled with the Spirit, draw on His power, and follow His leading. Submit every relationship and activity to Him.
Prayer: Father, help me recognise any bad habits I have formed. Please help me to break free of any bondage. I surrender my life to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Written by Ama Ghana @seekyefirstjesus
Ama Ghana is a Servant of God and the Founder of Seek Ye First Christian blog.
She blogs here
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