The Power Of Habits

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Proverbs 4:25

IN A 1984 ARTICLE IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, Ron Fimrite wrote about former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda’s battle with bad habits. As Lasorda told him,

I took a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, stared at it and said, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” The answer was me. Then I took a glass of vodka and said to it, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” Again the answer was me. Then I took out a plate of linguine with clam sauce, looked it in the eye and said, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” And the answer came back, “Linguine with clam sauce.” I cannot beat linguine.

Solomon reveals that getting into a routine or a habit is easy but getting out is harder. Think about debt: easy to obtain, but harder to relinquish. Or weight: easy to gain, but harder to lose. Sleeping late, procrastinating, watching too much television, and surfing the Internet are all easy, comfortable ruts we fall into that are hard—but not impossible—to break.

Overcoming bad habits takes time. According to studies, it takes six weeks to break a habit, but sometimes we give up too soon. As with any habit, a simple decision to change is not enough. Proactive, prayerful steps are needed. What step can you take today to break a bad habit? Imagine how much better your life would be with God-honoring habits.

BOTTOM LINE

Replacing a bad habit with a good habit is critical to success. Willpower and wishful thinking are not enough. Ask God to help you take the first step.

Moment of Strength: Proverbs 4:26-27