Consider having a “Quitting” notebook, and filling it with tips, and ideas that you read about. Most of us struggle to maintain new habits. We get a great idea for a new habit to replace an old habit, then work on it for a day or two, then move on to some other “hot” solution.
Today’s article is day 6 in an interweaving of solutions and habits that in my opinion are the foundations of quitting God’s way. I think it is wise to work on these 5 habits (Listed below) first, often, and to keep working on them until they start to become habits.
Second, the challenge is… I stink at learning new habits, I am a champ at continuing to do things the way I always have. How to start to change.
Consider having notes on these new habits, or printouts, so that you can review them often. Have a time and a place to work on quitting daily. Consider starting daily, by adding new quitting ideas to your notebook, then, review the top 5 habits, then start trying to “do” the top five habits. Note: 4 of these 5 habits are straight from the Bible, and the 5th (Doing other activities) is a foundation with 99% of all quitting programs.
Third, you can do this. If you are terrible at this (Like I am) you can do your daily reading, and then start trying to do the idea’s.
Fourth, consider putting notes in your phone and everywhere else to remind you to do these things. Have a “code” page in your quitting notebook. A note, or a sticky note with an R could be code for praying your quitting prayer, or a V could be code to remind you to fight temptation with your quitting verse, or an A could remind you to focus on trying alternative activities that may lower temptation.
If people ask, “Why do you have a note with an A on it.” You could say something like, “I am trying to change the way I am thinking, and this is my reminder.”
Fifth, the Bible promises everyone that joy will increase if they start to do things God’s way. The challenge is that most of us commit at a 25%, 35%, or 40% level. Well… Your joy is going to increase at that same level. If you want fullness of joy, strive to be fully committed.
Sixth, remember what happens on a day when you are fully committed. You felt this great relationship with God, life was looking up, and you felt some joy. Then the next day life ran you over again. Satan tells you, “This is not working.”
Consider memorizing this fact: “When I am committed to quitting God’s way, I have seen my life improve.” We need to make it through the dark day. We need to give God a chance to help us by “Giving Him time on a dark day.”
Finally, today consider using notes to start your course toward new habits. It takes time (Sometimes a long time), but it is worth it.
Below is the review of the first 5 habits.
First, pick a quitting verse, and use it often to fight temptation.
Second, pick a quitting prayer, and use it to fight temptation.
Third, have a list of alternative activities to do.
Fourth, think often about learning to fear the Lord: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom.”
Fifth, pray often about purpose. Strive to start helping people and doing things that God wants you to do.
Last, the only people who succeed at this are the people who keep doing it. Will you become one of those people?
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