Martin Luther King, Jr, who fought hard for many things but at the heart of his intention was a desperate call for freedom. As we celebrate his efforts, let us bring this ideology into our personal space and ask ourselves: When it comes to my thoughts, my reactions, my habits, do I feel free? Am I living in the freedom Christ died to give?

If the answer is—No—stick around. This is for you.

Last week you were challenged to name your craving. The one place you struggle the most. Did you do it? Was it uncomfortable to identify it? Let alone, face it and claim it as something that has a stronghold in your life?

If you came back for more this week, then you’ve already won part of the battle—good for you!! Be proud of yourself. I am!

While not all of us are at the mercy of an out-of-control addiction, most of us probably have a habit that borders on dysfunctional, and is in need of change. Drop mic! Exit stage left…

But in all seriousness, habits have the potential to make or break us. They rule and reign our thoughts, words, and actions. They model what we believe and unfortunately, they reinforce what we value.

Good habits will propel us in a positive direction and enable us to do the productive things God has designed for us (Ephesians 2:10). The other habits—the ones we’ve picked up along the way and have become a thorn in our flesh—they have the potential to send us reeling into dark places we never intended to go.

If you feel hemmed in by a habit that seems to have more control over you than you have over it, then why not change it? My goal this week is to help you address that one habit that has a hold on you and implement some practical steps for change.

Remember, it can be anything—emotional eating, self-indulgent shopping or spending, uncontrolled anger, the need to control others or situations, substance use/abuse, gossiping that injures, letting fear fill your mind—you name it, and we can make a bad habit out of it! Pick your poison and let’s tackle it together.

Make no mistake, this is a spiritual battle, and it is designed to steal our hope. Kill our purpose. Destroy our faith. Render us useless. If we’re not careful, we could live our lives in prison garb because of an unwillingness to fight for what is rightfully ours.

Although this attack on our stability is insidious, we are wise to keep in mind that the victory has already been won. The enemy’s defeat—the cross. Therefore, what feels impossible today, is totally possible with God (Matthew 19:26).

It’s hard work. Sure. But the satisfaction that real change produces is priceless. I encourage you to dig deep into this process and give God the reigns in the place where you struggle the most. His plan for your life is good (Jeremiah 29:11). Our confidence in this process must come from Him. From His power in us to change that which we cannot change on our own (see last weeks post).

The reality is that the decisions you make today will impact who you become tomorrow. Yep. It’s that simple and yet, that incredibly difficult. No two ways about it. Making the harder “right” choice over the easier “wrong” choice is tough. But it is possible. Possible with God at our side when we allow His power to work through us.

Choose today what you want tomorrow!

Everything comes down to a choice. We can choose to stay in our destructive habits and simply survive as a captive to our compulsion. Or we can decide to ask God to help us in the moment of our deepest craving.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to get practical by using the following tools…

Stop. Drop. Pray.

Stop the negative thought and replace it with the truth of God’s word.

Drop the habit, behavior, or reaction and replace it with a new, better one.

Pray your way through the moment of discomfort.

These three directives are designed to help you ditch the bad habit that is keeping you from living the life you want, and adopt a newer, better one that will move you in the direction of your destiny. Step-by-step, and one day at a time, my hope is that you will learn to make choices that move you toward freedom.

Whatever the degree of severity, a little off balance or a lot off balance, your habits requires some work. Either way, there is hope to be found, and freedom to behold. It’s time to start moving beyond the craving and living as you were meant to live—a conqueror through Christ.

Reflect and Respond:

Be encouraged. This week, when you come face-to-face with the bad habit that is holding you back, try thinking about making the harder “right” choice over the easier “wrong” choice and journal what thoughts, feelings, and behaviors result.

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you choose today what you want tomorrow!