Recently, I decided to change my running route – the one I’ve done practically since I’ve lived here – to a different one. On the first day of the new route, I had my mind on prayers and other things. Naturally, I followed my familiar routine, which had become prominent and overrode my initial intention. It wasn’t until I was almost finished that I realized it.
The next day, I had to make a conscious effort to go in a different direction, being mindful of the change I had committed to. It’s not easy, and some days I still revert to the old one.
Breaking old habits is difficult. Routines become familiar and comfortable. I once read that it takes sixty-six days to break a habit; the key is replacing it with something new. Hopefully, something better and healthier, rather than those that do not honor us or God. We must be intentional about breaking out of our comfort zone to explore new and better choices for ourselves.
The idea that it takes sixty-six days to break a habit is a well-known figure in popular psychology, stemming from research. A 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology by Phillippa Lally and her colleagues at University College London found that, on average, it took participants 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. This number can vary.
It’s hard to step away from the familiar, even if we know it’s harmful. Still, we must do our part to replace our old ways with new, healthier, God-honoring choices. When we choose to serve God instead of our flesh, the Holy Spirit helps us change. In the book of Colossians, Paul provides examples of putting off the old self and replacing it with the new self, much like putting on and taking off clothes. As believers, a change in identity has already occurred, but our conduct needs to be brought into line with this new identity. We stand before God as His beloved holy ones and are to live up to what we are in Christ (Col. 3:1-17, ESV). (There is a list of virtues listed here that are worth reading if you haven’t lately.)
Emulating the virtues of Christ and adopting a holy lifestyle consistent with our new identity is paramount to living our best lives. Our old selves were crucified with Christ so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Rom. 6:6). We always have a choice. God always provides a way of escape (I Cor. 10:13). Still, it takes intentionality and discipline to make better choices consistently.
“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen” (Jude 1:24-25, NLT, Emphasis added).
Faith Walk Ministries, Inc. 