Joyce Meyer

We all have habits. Here are a few of mine: I brush my teeth several times a day. I drink a lot of water and keep a bottle of water with me most of the time. I wiggle my toes all the time. Every night when I go to bed, I put lotion on my hands and feet. I also put lipstick on a lot to keep my lips moist.

A habit is "a usual manner of behavior; a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition." The way we think and how we speak determines what our behaviors and habits are - both good and bad.

I used to have a bad habit of getting upset immediately when I didn't get my way. I didn't have to try to get upset or work at it. It was a habit for me to react this way. I came to realize that my attitude and mindset had a lot to do with it.

When I was growing up, I was manipulated, controlled and my opinion was never considered or seemed to matter. Because of this, I made vows to myself, such as "When I get out of here, nobody will tell me what to do ever again. I'm going to do what I want to do, when I want to do it and please myself!"

But living for myself, I discovered, is highly overrated. It was this mentality that caused me to become immediately upset when I couldn't have my way. And I was miserable. I lived this way for many years until I decided I'd had enough and would do whatever I had to do to change.

Romans 12:2 says, "…Be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God…" (AMP).

My problem had a lot to do with the way I had talked to myself for years.

So before my behavior could change, I had to change my thinking and the way I was talking. I had to start thinking like God, talking like God, and wanting what He wants. He says living for Him means dying to self, losing sight of your own interests, forgetting yourself and focusing on serving others.

I also had to realize that breaking a bad habit requires effort and there are times of discomfort in the process. That's why we can't do it without the help of the Holy Spirit.

A big mistake Christians make is trying to do things on their own without God, and He wants to be first in everything in our lives-the way we think, the way we speak, how we behave… This is the key to our success in breaking bad habits and making good ones.

God sends His Spirit to live in us when we accept Christ as our Savior. The Holy Spirit wants to help us in everything we do. We need to have a habit of thinking about God and asking Him for help each day, many times a day.

That's what I had to do to change. I started praying, "God, I cannot do this on my own, and I need You to help me." And He did. I started thinking, "I can do this. God will help me. He gives me power to change."

It took time, but now my attitude is, When I don't get my way, I will be happy. I will trust that God is in control even if I don't like the situation. If I can't have my way, I know that all things are still working together for good because I am called according to God's purpose!

And my prayer is, "Lord, I'm going to ask for what I want and be happy with what I get." This pleases God and keeps Him first in my heart.

Whatever your bad habit is, understand that God doesn't expect you to conquer it on your own. He loves you and wants to help you. Put Him first in every part of your life, ask Him for help, and get ready to experience the freedom you long for.

For more on this topic, order Joyce's four-CD series Making Good Habits, Breaking Bad Habits. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org <http://www.joycemeyer.org>.

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 80 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and The Love Revolution (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org <http://www.joycemeyer.org>.