You are forming habits all the time, whether passively or actively. So in a way, your life is a compilation of your habits. The question is: what kind of habits are we forming? And can we actually form habits that fortify our faith and help us grow in Christlikeness? Many of us hear the word “habit”, and we apply the concept to things like working out or washing our faces before bed. Or maybe we primarily think of “bad” habits, like the habit of biting your nails when you’re bored or anxious; the habit of reaching for your phone when you’re waiting in ...
You are forming habits all the time, whether passively or actively. So in a way, your life is a compilation of your habits. The question is: what kind of habits are we forming? And can we actually form habits that fortify our faith and help us grow in Christlikeness? Many of us hear the word “habit”, and we apply the concept to things like working out or washing our faces before bed. Or maybe we primarily think of “bad” habits, like the habit of biting your nails when you’re bored or anxious; the habit of reaching for your phone when you’re waiting in line; or the habit of binge eating sweets when you’re stressed. But can “good” habits be cultivated with the aim of growing our faith? Why should this idea of habits be related to spiritual things at all?
Habits mean automation. It means we don’t have to invest as much energy and thought into doing something. When we put it that way, we can easily see how habits can be beneficial for our spiritual lives. Think about it: when you cultivate the habit of remembering God’s faithfulness, you’re going to find yourself calling that truth to mind when your life circumstances want to convince you that God has forsaken you. When you cultivate the habit of trusting in God to provide, you’re going to refrain from despairing when you hit a rough patch.
So what can we practically do to form these habits of faith? Today, we are joined by Jen Pollock Michel. Jen wrote the book A Habit Called Faith. Jen helps us see how habits impact our lives, and she offers practical advice so that we can form good habits that can help us grow in godliness. You can find Jen on Instagram at @jenpmichel and at her website (click here).
Here are some questions we work through in this episode:
- What impact do habits have on our lives in general? (3:34)
- How might the impact of forming habits carry over into growing in faith? (5:57)
- What are some habits that believers can form to help us grow in Christlikeness? (8:50)
- What are some practical things we can do to start forming these habits in our lives? (13:08)
- What are some bad habits that might inhibit our growth, and how can we break them? (20:07)
- Why is the habit of Bible study particularly important for our faith? (28:49)
- How can we work toward building a Bible study habit when we don’t feel motivated? (33:02)
Resources mentioned in this episode:
A Habit Called Faith by Jen Pollock Michel
Teach Us to Want by Jen Pollock Michel
Keeping Place by Jen Pollock Michel
Surprised by Paradox by Jen Pollock Michel
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Prayer Journals and Cards by The Daily Grace Co.
New York Times Cooking App
Queen West Candle by Vancouver Candle Co.
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson
A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson by Winn Collier
The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos
Jen Pollock Michel on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Scripture mentioned in this episode:
James 2:14-19
Psalm 1:2-3
Philippians 4:8-9
Colossians 3:12-13
2 Timothy 3:16
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The opinions of guests on the Daily Grace podcast do not represent the opinions of The Daily Grace Co., and we do not necessarily endorse the resources that they recommend or mention on the show. We believe it is valuable to hear from a variety of guests, even if we do not agree in all areas. As always, the statements made by hosts and guests on the show should be tested against God's Word, the only authority on truth.
