How To Break Bad Habits

Habits are usually performed by choice.

One might ask, “If a habit is unintentional or can be acquired, how did I develop it, where did it come from?” We must first understand that habits are learned, and they give us control. When we were born, we had no habits and were not in control of anything because our environment had no complications. We cried when we were hungry … our parents fed us. When we needed changing, we cried because we were irritated … our parents changed us. Our crying could not be considered behavior but rather expressions of having a need which required control.

As we grew, we learned that crying resulted in us getting attention from our parents and that made us feel special. So, we took some control over our parents by acquiring the habit of “fake crying” for what we wanted. We learned how to turn the tears on and off for longer periods of time until one of our parents came running to grant our desire. This is because the before unconditional environment changed and became more complicated, so we learned how to cope with this new life change. Hence, we developed or acquired identifiers that were specific to our behavior patterns … habits.

As we grew, we perform more instinctively, impulsively, automatically or unconsciously to cope with certain areas of our lives so as to be in control of them. Some of these habits are good while others are harmful causing flaws in our character and how others perceive us. In the case of the latter, a self-evaluation with a determination to break or change these habits is necessary.

CHANGE

A person can change, modify or break a bad habit which is an acquired behavior or routine. Psychologists suggest that the changed habit can sometimes be repressed meaning that it is still there but is controlled and therefore is non-operative. And, that you can decide not to perform that habit by disciplining yourself successfully. However, the idea of that habit will always exist. The problem with this is, if you are not strong enough, if your “will power” fails or if temptation has a chance to overrule, that acquired behavior can return.

This may not be a critical thing if the habit does not impair a healthy and productive life, interfere with your relationship with God, other people and your prayer life. It’s when that habit is contrary and critical to your wellbeing and your walk with the Lord that a divine intervention is needed.

The result you want is not reformation of your bad habit, rather total deliverance from it. You want freedom, total release, liberation … you want it to be discharged from your life completely!