Steps to Becoming the Man/Woman God made us to be...

Step 3 - Healthy Habits

I used to enjoy playing video games. I know a lot of people who do. It is something that relaxes me and feeds some of my competitive drive. The problem is that it can easily become addicting, due to the dopamine the activity releases to the operator of the game. I remember one day I was playing a game, and my two children at the time (both boys), wanted to play with me, but I couldn't because "Dad needed to level up!" It dawned on me at that time that this game had become an unhealthy habit. I put away the game console for my kids to play with later. I also eventually sold it. That was the "way out" God showed me. This is just one small example of many from my life that God has revealed to me to remove from my life.

Which of your habits have become unhealthy? It could be what you eat or drink, what you watch or listen to, what you think about others, working out too little or too much, substance abuse, work, sports, gambling, or sex. Whatever IT is, if it has become an unhealthy habit, then it needs to stop. When it is unhealthy it has become a crutch used to make you feel better about yourself. We want to feel powerful and successful, so we pour our heart and soul into something that will give us that feeling. The more of it we have, the more of it we want, until the point that something which was meant to be used in moderation offering us positive results becomes destructive.

Nothing should wield that kind of control in our lives except Jesus.

We all are tempted, but when we look for a way out, He will and can provide it. He has also provided the Holy Spirit to guide us through with a war chest of Full Armor and a resource manual (The Bible). Acknowledging that something has gotten out of control and you need help is the first move in the right direction. This is the first step, regardless if you are a Christian or not. Doing this is agreeing with Scripture that you can stand up to temptation rather than being controlled by it. By doing this, you start creating new habits that rewire and help eliminate the desire for what was unhealthy. Sometimes these habits require professional help to overcome. Other times (Most of the time), it means completely removing the habit from your life and assistance is usually necessary.

What unhealthy habit do you need remove? Don't waste any more time. Start getting healthy today.

1. What is one good habit that has become unhealthy for you?

2. What habit needs to be completely removed from your life?

3. Do you need to seek professional help for any of your habits?

1 Corinthians 10:13 - "There hath no temptation taken you, but such as appertain to man: and God is faithful, which will not suffer you to be tempted above that you be able, but will even give the issue with the temptation, that you may be able to bare it."

1 Corinthians 6:12 - "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not profitable. I may do all thing, but I will not be brought under the power of anything."

Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that you give up your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable serving of God.