Habits

We all have habits. Some good and some not so great. Habits are defined as "a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up".

I remember starting my Master's program and it was a regular practice for me to go for a daily 4 mile jog and eat healthy. One day, at the beginning of my program, I was in a study group in a lounge on our campus. I didn’t have time to grab a healthy meal or go for a jog that evening, so I made my way to the vending machine and chose to have a Snicker's bar and a Coke. That was the first time I had drank a Coke in years but that split-second decision would change my life. That one trip to the vending machine became a regular practice of drinking Coke and its content of detrimental high fructose corn syrup- for the next 17 years.

It was my greatest regret--putting something into my body regularly that was harmful, addictive and simply no good for me. Fast forward 17 years later and my daily struggle with drinking Coke continued. It was at that time 17 years later, my good friend asked me to be her bridesmaid and I became nervous at the thought of anyone taking pictures of me. And in the same split second it took me to start drinking coke, I made a decision to stop drinking coke cold turkey after 17 years of drinking 1 cup of it a day! Needless to say, I had withdrawals the night I quit. From chills to feeling sick without it, I finally said goodbye to the worst thing I had ever put in my body.

2 Peter 1:5-6 says, “For this very reason, applying your diligence in your faith to develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control and in your self-control, steadfastness and in your steadfastness, godliness.”

The Apostle Peter talks about practicing self-control in this scripture. Changing a bad habit comes from intentionally practicing good habits daily.

Can you think of anything you practice regularly that isn't good for you? We all have them. Whether it is not being intentional in checking up on our friends/family or drinking high fructose corn syrup like I did, let's think about what habit we struggle with and begin practicing being who and what God called us to be- being good stewards of what He's placed in our lives. God is faithful to help turn your bad habit into a beautiful testimony of overcoming.

Love,

A woman of worth.