Whether you have a bad habit that hints at obsession or one that has reached disastrous proportions, I hope you have taken some time over the last few weeks to establish what it is and decided that change is in order.

As it relates to our process for replacing one habit for another, the stages of change are as follows:

• Decide what needs to be changed.
• Face the fear of leaving your comfort zone.
• Encounter opposition.
• Endure the testing of your faith.
• Surrender to the process.
• Reap the benefits and bring honor to God.

For us to have any lasting change, we have to do the work. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it’s true. If you continue to DO the same things, as a consequence, you will get the same results. So let’s decide to do something different and put this approach to conquering our craving into practice.

Stop. Drop. Pray.

These three tools are powerful if used consistently. Not only are they tools of the trade for change, but they are also weapons for the warfare of temptation.

Our first tool in hand is to STOP destructive thoughts that influence our habits and replace them with the powerful truth of God’s word.

Human nature inclines that our thoughts drive our behavior. Namely, they “trigger” us. We see something, hear something, feel something that translates into a thought, and we react. Over time, this becomes ingrained behavior, and if the resulting habit is dysfunctional in any way, it has the potential to do all kinds of damage to our character, our sanity, our witness, and our family.

As Christians, we have the power to change this cycle. But so many of us don’t use it. Today that is going to change. Please, if you don’t get anything out of this message, take this one to heart: You have access to Christ’s power. Use it!

For example…

Change: I am a failure. To: I am chosen by God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4) and though I have fallen, I will rise (Micah 7:8).

Change: I can’t do this. To: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Change: I am unlovable. To: I love because he first loved me (1 John 4:19).

Go ahead. Fill in your own blanks. Take a day or so to study your mental dialogue. It is a little disturbing the things we say to ourselves, about ourselves. Doing this will prove to be a powerful exercise if you can endure the discomfort of your own self-talk.

What are you saying to yourself? Whose voice is it? Yours? Or someone else’s? Where do you need to replace a negative thought with a truth from scripture? Honestly, this will change your life in so many ways. A healthy mental dialogue is key to a healthy state of mind.

After you have established how to thought-swap, the next tool for change is to DROP the habit or behavior that has become your flight or fight response to craving. Again, the only way to lasting change is by way of replacement. Identify an undesirable habit you want to change. And decide to replace it immediately with a new and more desirable response, habit, or behavior.

Be prepared though; this is harder than it sounds. But pick something that satisfies your place of need. For instance, when you feel stressed or tired, and your typical response is to reach for a bag of chips, a box of cookies or a bottle of wine to soothe or remove the uncomfortable feelings; try taking a hot bath for relaxation, or a walk for invigoration.

If you feel insecure with a co-worker or family member, pick up the phone and call a friend for support, journal, or read the bible for wisdom instead of lashing out in anger or gossiping about the person and defaming their character.

Finally, the most important tool in winning this battle is to PRAY. Prayer changes everything. It breaks downs walls. Strongholds. Habits. And addictions. It is power. It is protective. It is the best tool we have in our arsenal to make it through the moment of compulsion. And lasting change will only be accomplished through this practice because change is hard. Change is uncomfortable. Sometimes our resistance to change is a mountain only God can move.

Lasting change will only be accomplished through this practice because change is hard. Change is uncomfortable. Sometimes our resistance to change is a mountain only God can move.

In order to make it through the moment, you must PRAY. Pray for strength to resist, wisdom to replace, and endurance to remain steadfast. Determine to make it through the moment. You can. And you will if you don’t give up.

Reflect and Respond:

When you are presented with a temptation to pick that bad habit back up, give yourself five minutes to process through these three tools. That’s all—five minutes. If you can work your way through them with honest application, I bet you will survive the moment of temptation and get beyond the craving into a place of freedom.

This three-step process will most likely feel awkward and a little clumsy at first. All change does. But give it a try. It’s well worth the effort. Trust me; each success makes the next challenge a little easier. And before you know it, you are a changed woman.

Look at you! You look more balanced and beautiful already!

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you Stop…Drop…and Pray your way to freedom.