How do we see our habits?

I have learnt that my habits are not who I am. Just because I struggle with something doesn’t mean I have become it. I have had terrible problems over the years with food. But this is not who I am. I am not a walking eating disorder! And nor, my friend, are you. We mustn’t stand in judgment over ourselves and reject someone who God accepts. But we need to understand that beating our habits is not as easy as “just saying no” either. Saying no requires us understanding the roots of our problems.

This is because not all recovery is forward-looking. We may need to face our past and deal with why we began the habits we can’t now break.

Years ago I began over-eating as a way of handling some of the issues I was facing after abuse. But it wasn’t until years later that I understood the causes of that more fully. Many of the things that happen to us aren’t our fault, BUT, what we choose to DO about our problems now IS our responsibility.

When we come to know Jesus, we no longer have to live lives characterized by disgrace, fear or shame. We become free from the ugliness and slavery of sin and death. Our passage today in Romans 8 reminds us that there is no condemnation for us – not even a little bit! It speaks to us of our forgiveness and that we are made righteous in God’s sight. (v10)

I know some people who have been damaged in the past who choose to continue to carry that bitterness and rage around with them. You meet them: you meet their anger. You chat to them and you hear some of the ways in which they are still hurting, habit-bound and enraged.

This is not the inheritance of those who are filled with the Spirit of Jesus. Romans 8: 17 tells us we are “heirs of God’s glory.”

An heir is someone who inherits all that came before, all that was owned and won. In Christ we own freedom! It is our right and our God-given legacy.

PRAYER:

Thank you loving Father for showing us the negative ways we can see ourselves. Thank you for the truth that we are your heirs and children. Show us what that looks like more fully today. Amen.