Kissing my bad habits goodbye
Thank you to everyone who replied to my latest poll, “Can you really get rid of bad habits?” We had a lot of discussion and great comments.
Overall, you said that most habits can die. And I agree! In fact, I believe that all bad habits can die.
I don’t have scientific evidence to support that–but I don’t need it. That’s why I have faith–faith in the all-powerful God who has freed me from my bad habits:
- Addictions.
- Perfectionism.
- Workaholism.
- People-pleasing.
- And more.
When I have laid these habits at the cross of Jesus–without taking them back again, He supernaturally erases those desires and tendencies so I can live in joyous freedom.
Some bad habits are so strong that I keep taking them back again and again. Part of my problem is that I put myself in situations that make it easier for my bad habits to resurface.
- Relationships.
- Friendships.
- Even the computer.
Truth is: I can feed my bad habits, or I can starve them. I can go back to the same routines, or I can replace them with better habits–habits that give life–not death. Every time I fail to create healthy habits, I put myself at risk.
When a defiling evil spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return it finds the person spotlessly clean, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse off than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place (Matthew 12:43-45).
I don’t have to put myself at risk. When I’m tempted, I can call upon God. He will help me day-by-day, and many times, even moment-by-moment.
But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
In the end, I will be free, and whom God sets free is free indeed (John 8:36).
Goodbye, bad habits!
Come alongside: How about you? Do you relate? Which bad habits have you replaced with good habits? With whom can you share this good news today?
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Poll: Can you really get rid of bad habits?
Earlier this week, I was reading an article in New York Times called, “How Companies Learn Your Secrets.” The article talked about how companies use statistics to understand consumers’ buying habits so they can predict how to market to them. (Side note: That’s what I do on a daily basis in my day job.)
Anyway… I read a line that intrigued me, especially given my own recovery and the recovery work I do on a weekly basis with others in my community. It said…
Habits never really disappear.
I understand they were speaking in biological terms, but it still makes me wonder.
How about you? Do you agree or disagree? Use a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means “Completely disagree” and 5 means “Completely agree.” Then tell us why you gave that rating.
Feel free to reply to others’ comments. As always, please be respectful and kind. (Note: I reserve the right to edit all comments.)
Looking forward to your feedback.
Big hugs,
Daphne
I am like Whitney
I didn’t believe it when I first heard the news early this week, but alas, it was true: Whitney Houston was dead. I tried to keep it together, but I admit: I cried–a lot. She was my favorite singer growing up. I wanted to be–and sing–like Whitney. What girl in the ’80s and ’90s didn’t?
I’m not sure how or why her life ended so soon. But as I thought about her life, I was saddened. What made it worse were comments from people who were quick to judge her and her actions.
Dear friend, please hear my heart…
- We all have issues.
- We all sin.
- Whitney was no exception.
- Neither am I.
- Neither are you.
God has used my life experiences–good and bad–to show me one life-changing Truth.
- Any person can make unhealthy choices.
- Any person can make a mistake.
- Any person can fall.
- I can be that person.
What separates my life from Whitney’s?
- The cameras.
- The tabloids.
- The news.
Her private mistakes were made public. Her unhealthy choices were publicized for the world to see. Her addictions were on the little screen and on the front pages of newspapers and magazines.
What about me? My mistakes? My unhealthy choices? My addictions? They remain mine and mine alone–hidden from view of the world, my workplace, my church, my friends, and even my family. I am no better, no worse than Whitney. It just so happens that my issues are not on display for the world to see. Nor would I want them to be.
Dear one, I don’t want to judge others. I don’t want to pick on them, jump on their failures, or criticize their faults (Matthew 7:1-6). Instead, I pray for God to have mercy on me, for I–like Whitney–am a sinner (Luke 18:9-14). I–like Whitney–need Jesus to remove the deep stain of all my sins–public and private. I need to be as clean as freshly-fallen snow (Isaiah 1:18).
We are all like Whitney. But this I know… Jesus loves Whitneys.
Come alongside… Have you been judged? Have you judged others? How do you feel when you hear that we all have issues and are all sinners? What sins do you need to confess today? Can you accept that Jesus loves you? He does, you know…
Forced to rest
My basset hound Dudleigh resting after surgery
Sometimes I go, go, go and wear myself out. My body is screaming, “I need to rest,” but I just keep going, going going.
A couple years ago, I was forced to rest when I had to take a 6-month medical leave from work. This was very difficult for me. I wanted to go, I wanted to do, but all I could do was lie down. Despite my frustrations, I learned – and continue to learn – that rest is necessary. It rejuvenates, refreshes, and restores.
It also taught me a lot about myself, my friends, and God.
- Rest doesn’t rob me of my value as a person.
- Rest helps me to treasure the simple things in life.
- Rest allows me to enjoy my true friends.
- It gives me time to meditate on God and His word.
- Rest grants me life.
Come alongside…How often do you rest? Have you been forced to rest? What are you learning about rest?
Big hugs,
Daphne
Stop my grumbling?
I think God is trying to tell me something. He has a funny way of bringing verses to mind when He’s trying to get my attention. Lately, it’s “Do all things without grumbling…” (Philippians 2:14).
- Grumbling, also known as murmuring.
- Generally, done in secret–not out in the open.
- What is it about grumbling?
- And is it really about the act of grumbling–or is it deeper than that?
I mean, if I stop grumbling, I haven’t really addressed the underlying issue that leads me to grumble.
So what is it, then? Is it about saying one thing in public and another under my breath? Is it about being dishonest? Or not completely truthful about how I feel about something–or someone? Is it, dare I say, hypocrisy?
Why don’t I–or can’t I–say what I really think–and feel–out loud? Why can’t I be the same person inside and out? Why can’t I be myself?
I don’t have the answer… yet. Just thinking…out loud.
Come alongside… Do you have a habit of grumbling? What is the underlying issue for you?
Big Hugs,
Daphne
