Habits—those small accumulations of actions taken regularly—play a significant role in either promoting or hindering our lives. Yup, that’s right! Habits can be good or bad. Just as you would with relationships, finances, a career, or personal interests and hobbies, your spirituality also needs help to grow.
“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Ecclesiastes teaches us that the key to life is not in life itself, but rather that life is meaningless without God. To include God in all we do is necessary to live a good life.
For most of our lives, we operate habitually. From things as basic as brushing your teeth to hitting the snooze on your alarm or traveling the same route to work, ultimately, it’s our habits that shape our identity, and having good habits promotes a healthy lifestyle.
When we accomplish these things, we feel better, we move more effectively, and we find balance.
Successful habits also reduce the strain of our day-to-day lives. The key? Practice. Only if you complete them repeatedly and successfully can you begin to call them habits.
Why Are Habits Important For The Christian Walk?
Living godly doesn’t mean that we are without sin or that our lives are perfect. It means that all we have has been surrendered to God and that we trust Him. Every day you devote to serving God will bring you closer to Him.
“The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshipping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and essence of it], but arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom, instruction, and self-discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 AMP
Habits are not meant to make life dull. It simply means that behaviors become more automatic through repetition over time. They can be valuable in optimizing your life, but in the case of growing your faith, habits can help you overcome the friction you feel when you have to spend time with God.
When we commit to protecting our relationship with God, we eliminate how much of a stronghold the enemy might have over us.
We don’t always feel like praying, worshipping, or studying the Bible. That is just our human nature, and the enemy likes to take advantage of this and cause chaos. But if we implement these healthy habits, we can protect ourselves against failure and feelings of uncertainty.
We’ll prevent today from becoming tomorrow, which will become next week, which may become next month, which could turn into someday. These seven habits will ensure our relationship with God flourishes.
1. Prioritize Prayer
As I’ve mentioned before, Jesus is the blueprint for how to have a relationship with God. By following His example, we are that much closer to strengthening our love relationships with the Father. Prayer is the foundation of the Christian life, and this is why it is the very first thing we should do at the beginning of each day.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35
Jesus put God first. He stayed in constant communication with God. Prayer is what keeps us connected. We know that, apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Many in the Bible prioritized prayer first thing in the morning. King David was another one known for seeking God and His kingdom first.
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalms 5:3
2. Practice Gratitude
Reframing your mindset is an integral part of accomplishing your habits. Perspective matters. How you view things will eventually affect your biases, judgments, and conflicts, whether with others or internally.
The more you practice gratitude, the more you prime your brain to be grateful for all that God does. Your mindset goes a long way toward personal growth, resilience, and self-awareness. An attitude of gratitude cultivates hope but also leaves us feeling satisfied, even when the outcomes might be the opposite of what we desire.
“In every situation [no matter what the circumstance], be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP
If there is anything you should take away from this, it is that prayer and gratitude are powerful when it comes to molding a godly attitude. Prayer is not only a weapon against the enemy but also a way to hear the voice of God. So, pray unceasingly and persistently, and don’t forget to express your thankfulness.
Your heart posture is very important in becoming rightly oriented toward God. Through prayer, you will learn to seek His will, trust Him, and stay humble.
3. Give Generously
Generosity benefits you both physically and mentally. The upside of giving generously is that it brings joy to those around you. The best way to demonstrate our faith is to live up to what we profess. If we profess to be Christ’s followers, then it should make sense that we behave Christ-like.
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” Proverbs 11:24
From this proverb, we understand that charity increases wealth. Your generosity determines your prosperity; if you withhold it from others, it can in turn be withheld from you.
Generosity is an act of kindness that usually results in reciprocation. Giving is a form of compassion that blesses another person. A generous person will be blessed by God. Whether it is your time, money, or other resources, give to others, and it will be given to you.
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38 AMP
4. Improve Your Discipline
Knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord. A god-fearing Christian knows that the Bible is useful for reproof and correction. Only a fool would reject the wisdom that God gives us to live a fulfilling life.
It may be obvious, but without discipline, what hope do we have to achieve our goals? Discipline is also a good measure that preserves life and prevents destruction.
But [like a boxer], I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service]. 1 Corinthians 9:27 AMP
Build a routine that will define who you are every day. As uncomfortable as it is, train your body and your mind to regulate your emotions. Get through the icky stuff, because on the other side of that struggle is a breakthrough. Have the discipline to walk in obedience.
“Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes him rich.” Proverbs 10:4
Believe me when I say that anything important or worth having will most likely be challenging and require a concerted effort. But if you want improvement, you can’t afford to avoid what’s uncomfortable.
5. Serve God and Others
If you intend to walk on a higher level than the world, you must live by a higher standard. Practicing your faith shows that you acknowledge that God is in control.
As you continue to build yourself in the Lord and meditate on the Word, allow yourself to be transformed by scripture. Commit to obedience, and your relationship with God will become more evident in how you approach life and how you treat others.
“A new command I give you: Love on another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:34
There is joy in serving the Lord, and joy in serving your brothers and sisters in Christ. The goal is heavenward, and so our minds should be set on eternal things. In all that you do, no matter how big or small, live to please him.
Engaging in acts of service, whether through volunteering, helping those in need, or simply being kind to others in daily interactions, reflects the love of God. It also fosters a sense of community.
6. Find Your Community
The beauty of Christianity is that it doesn’t have to be lonely. In fact, throughout the Bible, we are reminded that we are not meant to be alone. The body of Christ is there for a reason. It’s there so we can uplift one another, intercede for each other, offer counsel and wisdom, and so much more.
Connecting with other believers through your local church or bible study group is probably the easiest way to make like-minded friends. Every once in a while, kick back, relax, and attend a church social gathering to learn from and bond with fellow believers.
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Fellowship is also an important part of the Christian walk. Your brothers and sisters are there to offer support and encouragement and to hold you accountable. By fostering meaningful relationships, you can enrich your faith and sense of belonging.
7. Live Healthily
This might seem like an odd one, but it’s true; taking care of your body is essential to your well-being and your walk with God. The Spirit of God lives inside you. It deserves to dwell in a well-kept temple, not a broken-down building. Your mental, physical, and emotional health matters to God.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and avoiding harmful substances are a reflection of how a godly woman cares for the temple that has been entrusted to her.
In the end, adopting these seven habits will improve your life and reduce your stress. They nurture your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, but most importantly, they align with the principles of our faith and the will of God. To lead a life rooted in love and truth.
For more about fully embodying your faith and aligning your life with Him, check out Become a Diligent Woman of God. Comment below what habits you think Christians should adopt in their daily lives that will deepen their relationship with God.