BAD HABITS ARE HARD TO BREAK

GOOD HABITS ARE NECESSARY TO MAKE

There is no doubt that we are creatures of habit. Babies get their days and nights mixed up sometimes. I've even known adults who have that problem. Most of us agree that we can start the day right by getting up on time, drinking a big, cold, glass of orange juice, getting at least 15 minutes of some form of exercise, taking a quick shower, and sitting down at the table for a well balanced breakfast. Just reading this makes you feel comfortable, doesn't it? When we don't do something similar to the above, but rather jump into our clothes, drink a quick cup of coffee, jump into the car and head for the freeway, we are a threat not only to ourselves but others who might get in our way.

   One's list of bad habits might include but not be limited to profanity, hypocrisy, gossip, lustful thoughts, gambling, drinking, use of illegal drugs, viewing pornography, reading the, wrong books, lying, skipping school, cheating, etc.

 
Why Is It That Bad Habits Are Hard To Break
And Good Habits So Hard To Keep?

    I don't have all the answers, but I do know that a key word is effort. We have to make a determined effort to attack our bad habits and gradually replace them with good ones. There are many good habits we can incorporate which don't take a lot of effort. For example:
The Habit of Daily Personal Prayer. Remember Daniel, 'prayed and gave thanks before his God three times that day, as was his custom since early days" - Dan.6:10. The psalmist said, "Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud...He shall hear my voice" . Psa.55:17. We sing the song, "I will pray, I will pray, ever will I pray; morning, noon and evening, unto Thee I'll pray." Someone may ask, "Is it right to make prayer a "habit'?" The answer is yes and no. Yes, we must develop a daily routine to pray every day and even several times a day. No, it should not be just a habit or routine we go through without thought like many do in many religions, with prayer beads, prayers wheels, and all.
The Habit of Daily Bible Reading. Our bulletin gives us a Bible reading schedule which enables us to read through the entire Bible once a year. I remember reading somewhere that the pioneer preachers use to spend their early mornings in reading and memorizing scripture while their minds were fresh. Moses told Israel, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes " - Deut.6:6-8. It's always a joy to visit in a home where you won't be there very long before the conversation turns to the Lord. They will want to discuss a certain scripture, or talk about the work of the church, or how we can all be of service to each other.
        In fact, visiting someone like that can almost become habit forming!
                                                                  James Turner, Escondida, CA., via The Open Door, 1996/ adapted