The Replacement Principle

Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

Proverbs 14:15

PSYCHOLOGIST ROBERT EPSTEIN REVEALS three keys to changing a bad habit into a good one.

First, modify your environment. One student started a new habit of bike riding simply by placing her bicycle in the doorway before she left for school. When she returned home, the bike was the first thing she saw, and that was all she needed to get started.

Second, monitor your behavior. Psychologists don’t know why monitoring works, but studies have shown that if we monitor what we do, we’ll probably do better. If we keep a record of what we eat, we’ll probably start eating better. When we track our spending, we’ll probably end up saving money.

Third, make a commitment and tell someone. When we make a commitment to another person, we put pressure on ourselves to follow through. That’s why people have exercise partners and pay money to attend seminars. Commitments help us to persevere and accomplish our goals.

Solomon reminds us that the right steps have to be taken to move us in the right direction. It’s sensible. Taking the appropriate action steps and moving forward toward our goals yields results in the long run.

Is there an area in your life where you need to apply Epstein’s advice? How could you put each step into practice? Breaking a bad habit will not be easy, but it can be done with the right actions, fueled by the right motivation, and sustained by the grace of God.

BOTTOM LINE

Good habits aid our growth in godliness. Ask God to help you make the connection between how you’re living and the results you’re achieving.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 119:45