A Change of Habit

After deciding to follow Jesus, I am disappointed to find myself still wallowing in habits that are not part of this new life.

Despite my best efforts, old tendencies still linger and trip me up. At times I feel stale and discouraged instead of strong and new.

So I was comforted and encouraged to find that Paul struggled with the same issue. He wrote that our human nature can overwhelm our spiritual intentions—to my great sorrow and annoyance.

Indeed I know what Paul meant when he said, ‘Wretched man that I am!’ (Romans 7:24).

I sometimes feel as though I’m getting nowhere in my walk with God. My struggle reminds me of trying to log on to a website and continually pressing ‘refresh’ in the hope that, this time, I might actually get somewhere.

But there is hope for this dilemma. Paul assures us that we are rescued by Jesus.

Our heart is refreshed in fellowship—with Jesus and in the presence of other struggling believers. That was the kind of relationship Paul had with Philemon.

Keeping hold of scripture and maintaining good fellowship in the church will help us grow out of old habits and into new life.

Prayer: Thank you, Father God, for knowing our failings and frailties and loving us anyway. Strengthen us by your Spirit to grow in our Christian life with confidence and hope. Amen