Bad Habits

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

Let’s face it. Human beings are creatures of habit. We do some things so automatically that we don’t realize we’re even doing them. Some of our habits are of negative behavior. Do you have a habit of gossiping, lying, worrying, or complaining? Are you too quick to criticize or judge others?  Other habits can be of compulsive behaviors: overeating, overspending, excessive working, drinking, smoking, using drugs, etc. I am aware of many “bad habits” that I want to remove from my life.

Maybe you, too, have a bad habit that you wish you did not have. Words, thoughts, or actions just come out without your even realizing it.  In our Scripture for today, King David asks God to search him and find his offensive ways. When we do this, we will begin to see many ugly things with which we need to deal.

Bad habits displease God, but with His help they can broken and replaced with more wholesome alternatives. God has helped me to see that I complain too much and worry too much. I am even guilty of nagging at my husband sometimes without even realizing it.  Oh, that hurts!!

We can change. God can work in our lives to bring our conduct into line with what pleases Him. We first have to identify the areas that need changing. It is a challenge because habits are hard to break.

Our first step is to confess bad habits to God as sin and seek His forgiveness. Then, we must make a definite commitment that will set the stage for change.  Memorizing Scripture, daily Bible reading, and prayer are of great value. As God’s thoughts invade our minds, things will begin to change.

Why not begin today to analyze your habits and start the process to change the bad ones. Think about the things you may be doing that are not healthy physically or spiritually. With God’s help we can change.

Georgia Andrus