CHANGING UNHELPFUL HABITS (2)

Read: ROMANS 8:1-11

Meditation verse:

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

Focus on changing one specific habit or behavior at a time. Trying to change multiple habits at once is setting yourself up for failure. Successful habit change involves focusing on something highly specific and measurable that can be done and repeated over a period.

One of the difficulties in changing a habit is making it stick, as the existing neural pattern must be replaced with a stronger alternative. This replacement happens through repetition, rehearsal, and reinforcement of the new behavior pattern. Otherwise, you are likely to go back to the old one. Habits are created mostly through repetition. Research shows that it takes twenty-one days to start forming a new habit and up to sixty-six days for these to become embedded as new neural networks; that is become automatic. You would need to practice that new habit every day for the next twenty-one days.

Choose a partner who would hold you accountable. The bible says: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).

Finally, realize that lasting change can only be found in Christ. The apostle Paul said: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7: 24-25). It is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that can make you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). If you have not trusted Jesus for your salvation, you are still a sinner in need of grace. Your attempts at change would be futile. Lasting change begins with accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. “Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (Romans 8:36).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.