Break those Wrong Habits Part 1

Tuesday 21st March 2023

 

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient (helpful): all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any [wrong habit].

 

Habits are powerful parts of our lives. Popular author Stephen Covey once made a case for most of our actions, and thus success and failure, being both simply a product of habits.

 

What is a habit? A habit is an automatic pattern of behaviour in reaction to a specific feeling or situation, gotten through frequent repetition.

 

When we feel stressed for example, we might listen to music, sleep, seek out a someone to talk to, or even (for some) eat, or get angry and vocalize. What we do actually depends on the habit we have developed to deal with that particular type of stressful situation.

 

This situation that causes the habit-forming action is called the CUE, or TRIGGER (which is the feeling of stress in this case). The ROUTINE, or action we carry out as a result of that trigger is what we call a habit.

 

What we do when a repetitive trigger comes up is very key, as we would tend to do this habit again and again whenever this trigger (stress in this case) comes up, and it would soon, whether good or bad, dominate our lives.

 

Our opening verse says: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient (helpful): all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any [wrong habit].

 

The thing about a habit is not in the trigger (or cause). The thing is in the response. Human beings have been noticed to always develop different ways to deal with different events. For example, a guy feels stressed, and he takes a drink. Over time, he has more reasons to feel stressed, and this slowly builds up into a habit that could turn into a serious drinking problem if he does not control it.

 

After a habit is developed, without thinking, you would naturally want to perform the routine or habit, everytime we feel even a tiny sign of the trigger.

 

This is the cause of all types of habits, from drinking, drugs, sex, and even positive habits like diligence, giving, prayer, going to church, and being so used to a best friend, and even a lover. We miss people and lovers because our brains have formed loops around them that are so strong that even your brain doesn’t know what else to do when it gets triggers that it has hooked up to these actions and people. It feels lost, and as if it cannot do without this person, habit, drug, routine, etc.

 

We develop and have the ability to control habits, but they eventually develop and control our character, and us.

 

Let’s say this same young man has a great love for music, and instead of turning to alcohol when he feels stressed, he gets a guitar which he takes out and starts playing when he is feeling down. The thing is, with the same trigger of stress, one person would become a raging alcoholic that would be a failure in life, and another would take the same trigger and use it to turn himself into a success.

 

What do you do when you are stressed, or feel disrespected, or angry, or you are just feeling down? Is this activity turning you into a better person, or is it weakening your personality?

 

You see, when we are starting out a habit, we control it, but after the habit has been developed, it controls us. This is why Apostle Paul said “I would not be brought under the power of any (wrong habit).

 

The Word says in ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’ (Prov 4:7) In other words, getting wisdom and understanding in any field in life is the key to mastering it. Our greatest tool in life is our own selves and capacities. Getting wisdom and understanding about mastering ourselves is the key to being a success.

 

Next time, we shall learn about how to replace habits.

 

Keep winning!

 

CONFESSION

I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. I am developing the right habits, improving myself, and walking in excellence in all I do. I am not stuck to the past. Greater is He that is in me. I am more than a conqueror, and am winning over every negative habit of my past, in Jesus Name.

 

MORE LIGHT (MEDITATE ON, AND PRAY WITH THESE)

Ephesians 5:1 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

 

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