Yesterday I shared how after lots of trouble using my computer I decided to stay connected. I didn't want to risk not being able to use my pc again. Well can you believe that after all that trouble, after finally being able to use my computer again, I turned it off simply out of habit. I immediately realized what I'd done and was horrified. You'd think after being locked out for days and after many struggles to get it to work there's no way I would casually turn it off. Well I did. Shutting down my computer is a habit. I do it without thinking; it's become part of my nature. It's not a bad habit in and of itself - it saves power, reduces opportunities for viruses and power surges, etc - but it's not what I needed or wanted to do.

It got me thinking about how often we do things simply out of habit. We do things we don't mean to do, things we don't want to do, and things we fight against doing - because they are habits. Sometimes we do things that we know are not God's best but we can't seem to break the habit. As a clinician I'll tell you it typically takes about 30 times of doing something consistently to establish a new habit, but as a Christian I'll tell you it takes God. First, we need to recognize we have a problem and need help. I put tape over the key that I use to shut down my pc and a reminder note, just as I have notes all over my home with scriptures, Anointed Messages, and encouraging statements. I know it would be all to easy to fall back into this habit. There are miraculous deliverances but that is not the norm. Most of us will have to work through it, often with fear and trembling; and if we think more highly of ourselves than we ought to we won't avoid trouble and we'll keep falling back into temptation. I've learned we can ask God to give us wisdom, a plan, a strategy; so we can develop godly habits. What you can't do on your own you can do with God's help. I pray that you will give God your bad habits and trust Him to help you develop good ones. I gave God my messed up computer along with all my other mess as a gift.☺