Get Rid of Old Habits ...

Wednesday, January 11, 2012. It is one of the observations of the new year, probably of any new year: after some days the old habits are back. We go into the first week and it might be a holiday week. But then in the second week we go back to routine, and everything is back which was bothering us last year … what to do now?

Things I would like to quit …

First, it is necessary to see clear. What are the things which are not good? What are those old habits, which I would like to quit? There might be good old habits, which I should definitely keep! But there are also those old habits which are not good. It would be good to somehow get rid of them.

One habit which we might want to get rid of is alcohol. To drink too much is a bad habit … and it is quite difficult to quit. I am not speaking about an addiction which needs professional help including medication and training. But there are those normal habits, using alcohol to relax, and then we drink more of it and more often, … but alcohol is a thief, it is taking time and concentration and it can steal our whole life!

Other bad habits might be linked to my attitude of work. Some of us have the habit to avoid things which seem unpleasant. But that leads to problems, when these things are important. Kids might try to avoid learning for tests. But then they fail and it strengthens their behavioural patterns. It would be good for them to get rid of the bad habits and get into new, better, good habits!

The bible on old habits …

The New Testament words about old habits are quite interesting. The idea of the New Testament is that with faith in Jesus we are transformed into a new existence. We are made new by the grace of God through Jesus. However: this does not mean that all our behavioural patterns are also changed instantly!

The image of the New Testament is that God wants our mind and our heart and our decisions as well. We are asked to make our own decisions to live as the new beings which we are already. Being new is a process of becoming new. It is a process which wants our full capabilities to be an active part of it.

Thus, it is up to us to shape good habits. We are not made of stone, but we are living, we are able to change habits. Habits arise when we repeat particular things again and again. Initially, we need to want them. Then, after doing them many times, they become a habit. Let us start shaping new habits today! Give it a try … it really works! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts