We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-4).

We have been talking about God-honoring habits. It takes thirty days to create or break a habit. The thing that determines whether we are successful in creating and breaking a habit is consistency.

Allow me to say one more thing about habits. People don’t create their futures. People create their habits and their habits create their future. What you do day in and day out is what you become.

What produces character and hope? Perseverance.

Keep at it:
– when you don’t feel like it
– when you are tired
– when you are busy
– when you are unmotivated
– when you feel like quitting
– when you are angry
– when you are stressed
– when life is crazy
– when you are grieving

Keep at it. Create your future by creating God-honoring habits.

Keep at it.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9:25)

We have been talking about New Year’s resolutions and creating new habits. As you embark on this journey, think of your spiritual journey as training rather than a test. In tests there are only two outcomes: pass or fail. Viewing life as a test is sad and stressful because we are bound to fail. We may succeed for a day, a week, or even months but, guaranteed, there’s going to be a day when we fail. Seeing life as a test makes us see our attempts at life as failure. That’s not helpful.

Life is training. You see, in training, there are days when you feel sick or you just don’t feel like going to the gym to train or go on a run. But that doesn’t mean your training has failed. It just means you had a bad day, a sick day, or a tired day. So, you wake up for another day and get back into training. As long as you keep at it, you are succeeding.

A year from now you will be looking at resolutions and you will have a list of excuses as to why you failed again. Or, you will have a record of progress as you have been training in the habits of reading God’s word and prayer.

So, what will it be for you? Doesn’t the record of progress sound a whole lot better than a list of excuses?

Pray continually. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

As discussed, it takes thirty days to create a new habit or to break an old habit. As you read God’s word everyday, commit to ending your time reading with praying. Praying is simply talking with God. Let God know what is on your heart, what is bugging you, what you are looking forward to, what God is up to in your life, etc.

As you go through your day, pray. Talk with God.
As you encounter challenges, pray.
When something angers you, pray.
When something makes you happy, pray.
When something frustrates you, pray.
When something excites you, pray.
When something stresses you, pray.
When you find nothing to do, pray.

Wow! There are so many opportunities to pray!

The difference between those who succeed at keeping their resolutions and those who don’t is not effort, will, and good intentions. The difference for those who succeed is consistency. Just do it. Keep at it. Do it consistently for thirty days to create a new habit of prayer.