Do you have unhealthy habits in your life that are hard to break?
All of us at some time have tried to give up things we wished we didn’t do. It’s not that easy: some things are quite addictive e.g, tobacco and other habits have become so ingrained, like biting your fingernails, that it takes a huge conscious effort to stop.
Maybe you have tried several times to change these bad habits and even succeeded for a time, but then continue to struggle with them over and over again?
It’s interesting that Paul recognised how difficult it was to be so self disciplined and how much work needed to be put in, when he wrote to the Corinthians to encourage them “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
One of the things that helps, is to identify the people in your life who have a bad influence on you, who rather than strengthen you in your resolve to stop discourage you. Then avoid them while you work on changing your life.
God has already equipped us with self-control, but we must use it and do the work needed to stop the vicious circle.
Find someone you know who will encourage you and check in on you regularly to see how you are doing. It is so much more difficult stopping a bad habit on your own than with others. That is why slimming clubs are so effective.
And once you have made a decision to stop, don’t put it off till tomorrow, start now! Then reward yourself in all the little goals that you achieve.