Going through the same old motions had gotten dull. A sense of obligation soon led to guilt from all I felt I should be doing, but wasn’t. Instead of feeling inspired, I felt drained.
That was me, not too long ago in my walk with God.
Can you relate?
I imagine that God probably felt sad for me. After all, that was not what he had in mind when he promised me life to the full. No way!
I believe instead that God intends for me to have a life that sparkles. A life that is full and overflowing. My father used to quote this old song that says:
“I’m drinking from my saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed.” – John Paul Moore
I believe that God wants my cup to overflow with blessings. And not just mine, yours too.
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So here are three things that have been helping me climb out of the doldrums. Perhaps they’ll work for you too.
3 Ways to Kick Old Habits to the Curb
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Limit distractions
There will always be things that seek our attention. Sometimes, it’s a relationship, a career, our kids, hobbies, you name it. Sure we need to have hobbies that stimulate our creativity, as well as activities that take us away from the rigors of life. (Calgon moment anyone?) But when we become consumed to the point of excess, that’s not healthy.
For me recently, my distraction was Facebook. Sounds funny but it’s true. Read about my response to my Facebook overload here.
We need to find ways to cut back on the things that pull us away from our devotion to God and kingdom business. Wondering how to kick old habits? Deciding to put boundaries in place to limit distractions was the best thing for me. If you need some extra help, tell a friend and ask her to hold you accountable.
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Replace bad habits with good ones
In Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus tells a story of an evil spirit who came out of a man. The spirit was busily searching for a new home but found none. Then it hit him that the house he had just left was “unoccupied, swept clean and put in order”. Not only did the evil spirit move back in, but he also took seven of his wicked buddies with him! The takeaway for us: it’s not enough to simply get rid of bad habits, we’ve also got to replace them with good ones.
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So, I’m taming the Facebook monster. I’m re-ordering my priorities using the new Make Over Your Evenings course (affiliate link). This course came at just the right time when I’m eager to develop some healthy, life-giving habits.
I’m so excited to be learning how to:
- Establish a realistic evening routine that sets me up for a successful morning
- Have a prioritized To-Do list for each day
- Decide in advance how I’m going to invest my time
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Pray, pray, pray
All of these changes will be ineffective if I don’t commit them to God through prayer. Lasting change isn’t easy and on my own, I’m likely to fall flat on my face. With God, however, there is success. Proverbs 16:3
Sometimes, it’s the simple things that get me back on track, so I’m counting every little step in the right direction.
How about you?
What has been distracting you lately?
Won’t you join me for the Make Over Your Evenings course? Let’s kick those old habits to the curb and replace them with some good, healthy, life-giving ones!
Wishing you blessings,
And for more encouraging content, check out these other amazing sites where I link my weekly posts.
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I like that you mentioned that we have to replace old habits with new ones. It’s not enough just to be rid of the old. That is so true 🙌🏽🙌🏽
This course sounds like a good one! As a doer, I often schedule time for necessary things … but when I leave God out of the equation, my efforts go only so far. Will be sharing tomorrow!
I know exactly what you mean, Dianne! It’s only through God’s grace that I don’t fall flat on my face (more often). 🙂
Thanks for sharing, my friend!
Such great reminders! It’s easy to get in a groove of life into what seems normal but we’ve lost sight of priorities. I’m tucking this away for once we settle a bit. Life is crazy now with an overseas move so we are all about just doing the next thing on the list. Tis a season.
You’ve made some really good points. The distractions are the hardest for me. There’s always something coming up, someone needing help, or just that inner desire to get away for some time alone with friends to the detriment of time alone with God. Sorry, God. Please help us to do better at keeping our eyes on You.
The distractions get me too and they all seem like good things, right Ruth? And they are but ultimately, God wants to be #1! Thanks for that prayer — I need it.
And thanks for visiting. 🙂
“Don’t just get rid of the bad – replace it with good!” LOVE it! 🙂 This is just a great post through and through. Thanks! 🙂
I appreciate you so much, Stefani. You always have an encouraging word.
Hugs!
I love these tips!
Substituting habits is so effective. Also because it allows one takes the time they need before moving ahead.
Excellent tips, Marva! Thank you for sharing them.
Love this inspiration! Especially the worksheet..very helpful as a guide away from useless activites!Love your website, too!
Thank you so much, Kathy. The feeling is mutual — I always enjoy visiting you at Holy Vacation Queen.
I’m so glad you found the worksheet useful. Enjoy your weekend, friend.
My distraction lately has been blogging. Yes, first thing in the morning before work and I need to begin later in the mornings so I can have a bit of balance. Great post Marva.
Oh, I know exactly what you mean, Michelle! In our minds we think it’s all for a good cause but the truth is we’re just getting sucked in. Let’s help each other and keep each other accountable. In the end our blogs and our lives will be better for it!
Thanks for sharing. I definitely agree that we need to replace bad habits with good ones!
Thanks for visiting, Jerralea. I’ve been enjoying #theLoft linkup and hanging out with you sweet ladies.
Let’s get those bad habits out the door and make room for some good ones!
I love it and such practical easy to implement 3 steps too. I know He wants me to live a life that sparkles too!!! Let’s sparkle together!!! Your neighbor at #CoffeeShopConversations and #FaithnFriends
Debbie, I love it when we’re neighbours in more than one place. Just another good reason to sparkle together!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your sparkle. Have a great weekend!
Really curious about your post on Facebook. Social media can be a big distraction for me too. I’m learning to curb it with time limits, and also try to do at least an hour or so of my own creative work first in the mornings.
Facebook is great in many ways, but has also gobbled up a lot of my time. If you haven’t followed the link as yet, here’s my post about it: https://sunsparkleshine.com/facebook-frenzy/. I don’t leave it on all day and when I do visit, I’m clear about what I plan to do there. After doing that for a few days in a row I realised it wasn’t such a big draw and each day it gets better and better. I’d love to hear what works for you.
It’s always a pleasure to see you smiling face, Betsy!
The Make Over Your Morning course was so good- so I’m certain the evening one will be great, too! I like what you said about replacing bad habits with good ones. I know that really applies to me when I’m trying to cut out unhealthy foods. I need a healthy treat to replace those.
You’ve offered such wise advice here, friend.
I didn’t do the Make Over Your Mornings course but when this one came around the timing was just right. It was as if God knew just what I needed. He always does, doesn’t he?
I appreciate you visiting and sharing your sparkle with is, Dawn! You bless me.
I think Proverbs 16:3 is one of my favorite scriptures ever. I make a lot of plans to try and better myself, but God is the one who gets me there! 🙂
That’s so true, Gina! When I remember that life goes so much smoother.
Thanks for stopping by!
Marva, This course looks like something I really need, but I’m so short on time I don’t know if I could follow through! I’m going to pray about it some more though! Your tips are great. I especially love the reminder to replace the bad with a good! It’s a piece of the puzzle we often forget! Sharing everywhere 🙂
Hugs,
Lori
I know the feeling, Lori. I feel like I’m completely stretched thin and I don’t need another thing ‘to do’. But I do need to be more strategic about how I spend my time and that’s exactly why I jumped to sign up for the Makeover Your Evenings course. It may not be the right thing or the right time for you and I pray God will make that clear. Either way, He’s got you covered!
Great advice, Marva! I can easily get distracted by life and many other things! God has really been speaking to me about this very thing. So glad I stopped by today!
Always lovely to have you, Alisa. Guess what? He’s been speaking to me too! 🙂
I think my greatest distraction these days is my husband’s health. I need to replace worry with trust. Worry is a bad habit!!!!
Thanks for stopping by, Mary. It was so fun reading your post today.
I can see how your husband’s health would definitely be a concern but as you rightly said worrying itself is a bad habit. Deciding to replace it with trust is definitely the right way to go.
Praying for you both!
What a practical and helpful post, Marva!
Love this one!
Sharing it all around today.
And, I’m signing up for the New Beginnings worksheet!
Blessings~
Oh that’s awesome, Melanie! I’m so glad you found it helpful and I always appreciate your shares.
Have a lovely day, my friend!
Great post! Very insightful. I’m also going through the makeover your evening course and love it 🙂
Csilla from http://www.csillamusiconline.com
That’s awesome, Csilla. I’m happy to know that we’ll be walking that road of change together.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your sparkle!