When Faced With Unhealthy Habits

When Faced With
Unhealthy Habits
There is nothing more depressing than giving in to a bad habit, especially
on a daily basis. It can make you feel inadequate and powerless,
incompetent and weak. Wouldn’t it be absolutely terrific to wake up each
morning and say, “I am in charge of my life. Nothing, especially a bad habit,
can defeat me!”
IF YOU ARE a slave to a bad habit, believe that you can break free from it
forever. Here’s how:
1. Un-Stress Yourself. By reducing stress in your life, you will be better able
to deal with and change your bad habits. Soothe your mind and body by
meditating upon the following great Bible verses:
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself” (Psalm 37:7).
“Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still” (Psalm 4:4).
“ . . . I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians
4:11).
The ability to relax requires practice and determination, but your
persistence will be rewarded.
2. Be Kind to Yourself. Whenever you try to break a habit, you may
occasionally have setbacks, and when they occur, do not punish yourself by
dwelling on them. Forget your failures and move confidently ahead.
As you struggle to break your habit, treat yourself kindly by doing things
you enjoy. Reward yourself for your accomplishments. For instance, if your
goal is to stop smoking, buy yourself a small gift after you’ve reached a
seven smoke-free days’ milestone.
3. Seek Support from Others. Telling the people closest to you that you are
trying to break a habit is important. For one thing, you can talk to them if
you have a setback, and they can provide you with the encouragement you
need to go on.
It will also be tremendously helpful to spend a few minutes each day
talking to God about what you wish to accomplish. Who better understands
the weakness of man than God? Spending time with Him each day will help
you relax and empower you to go on with your habit-breaking battle.
Who better
understands the
weakness of
man than God?
4. De-Hypnotize Yourself. See yourself in a new way. Several times a day,
visualize yourself free from your habit. Be as graphic as possible in this
visualization process. For instance, if your bad habit is constant worrying,
picture yourself taking a leisurely, carefree walk around a place that brings
you pleasure. See yourself smiling and laughing. Feel the lightness of your
worry-free walk.
Whenever you feel the need to indulge in your habit, use your mind’s
power to see yourself free from it.
You can also de-hypnotize yourself through the act of writing. In simple,
clear language, write down sentences such as, “I can live without (fill in your
habit). I am stronger than it is because God has given me the power to
defeat all my weaknesses!” Eventually these messages will sink deeply into
your subconscious mind and aid you.
Before they kick the life out of you, kick those bad habits right out of your
life!
Excerpted from The Positive Thinkers Club Newsletter by Norman Vincent Peale and Ruth Stafford
Peale. Copyright © April 1991 and August 1999 by Peale Center for Christian Living.