Overcome Hurtful Habits

Habits are the things we do consistently, shaping our daily lives. Some are life-giving, like praying, reading the Bible, or worshiping both at home and with others at church. But some habits can pull us away from God’s best for us. What do we do when our habits contradict God’s Word? The apostle Paul understood this struggle and shared his own experience:

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

Romans 7:15

We all face the tension between knowing what is good and battling the urge to follow sinful desires. However, we don’t have to stay stuck in this battle. Through our relationship with God, we can move from being overcome by harmful habits to living victoriously.

Often, we view sin as the root problem: “If I could just stop, everything would be okay.” But sin is usually the result of a deeper issue. That might sound surprising, so let me explain.

Sin often acts as a temporary solution to something we’re struggling with. We feel lonely, sad, helpless, or out of control, and we turn to what once comforted us when we were spiritually dead. But now, as children of God, those same actions bring conviction from the Holy Spirit. To overcome hurtful habits, we need to dig deeper. Instead of reacting to emotions by turning to sin, we can respond in ways that align with God’s Word. This requires us to:

• Recognize our triggers. Pay attention to what you’re feeling and thinking before you’re tempted to fall into old patterns.

• Make a plan ahead of time. Decide how you’ll respond to temptation before it comes. Have Scripture, prayer, or a healthy activity ready to redirect your thoughts.

• Seek accountability. Share your plan with a trusted friend or mentor who can encourage and pray for you.

• Reach out when temptation comes. Don’t wait until after you’ve fallen into the habit. Call on your accountability partner, pray, or lean into God’s Word for strength in the moment.

Hurtful habits lose their power when we take intentional steps to rely on God’s grace and

guidance. Through Him, we can find freedom and joy in living according to His will.

Pray with your own words, or try these:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your grace that meets me in my weakness. Help me to recognize the patterns that lead me away from You and give me the strength to choose Your way instead. Teach me to rely on You in moments of struggle and surround me with people who will encourage me in my walk. I trust that with You, I can overcome anything that seeks to harm me. Thank You for the freedom You give through Jesus. In His name, Amen.