Last week, I shared the first of five faith-full habits that the Lord has used in the last few years to transform my heart. (Did you miss it? Catch up and read all about it here.)
Today, I am continuing this conversation with the second five habits. All of the habits shared in this mini series have impacted me in great and powerful ways in various seasons of my life. So let get back to it, shall we?
6. I intentionally memorize Scripture. Over the years, I have dabbled in this a bit, like ones in a moment/season that I desperately needed for a crisis. (Philippians 4:6 anyone?) And I sort of attempted to start memorizing the book of 1 John. But it wasn’t with passion or intention. I was doing it for pride, not to become closer to and more equipped in the Lord. Now, a fresh fire has been lit. I am memorizing scripture to KNOW what God’s word says how to live. I can see how it is gradually making me face my own sin (yuck) and teaching me how to live, react and respond in more of Christ-like manner. (YAY!) I am a learner, so this feeds into my passion. (I just wonder why it took me so long to realize this!)
7. I pray selfish. Ok. hang with me here. (Don’t give me that weird eyebrow look.) I am in a current season of God lovingly yet intentionally reshaping and chipping away at the junk of my heart. When I was young in my faith journey, I would spend 80 percent (or more!) of my time praying for other people. Which is AWESOME. As long as the pray-er is spiritually mature. Which I wasn’t. And still am not. So now, I have switched that ratio. I spend 80 percent of my time focusing on how God wants to change and shape ME. Asking (begging?) Him to show me the sin in my own heart and give me the tools, knowledge and passion to conquer it by the power of Christ.
This is ESPECIALLY true my marriage. Instead of focusing on where my beloved husband is falling short, God is teaching me to pray for myself– to be transformed wife for His glory. Oh, and guess what? The other 20 percent of my time that I pray for other people often stretches to greater percentages because I am spiritually healthy (ish), my cup is overflowing and I have more to give. #WhoKnewRight?
8. God challenges me to study fresh. Fact: It is SO easy to fall in a Bible study rut. Get up, do quiet time. Check. Just show up at bible study on Tuesday mornings and Thursday nights. Check. Glaze through a chapter of the Bible once a day. Check.
Dull. Gross. And zero fruit.
It is very important to me to continually seek how/what God is wanting me to study. I have noticed that when I am on track with how/what God wants me to study, it clicks. I get it. Revelations. Passion. Excitement. And somehow, I almost ALWAYS have plenty of time to spend discovering and digging for His truths. Right now, I am learning the inductive Bible study method, marking and color-coding my Bible like crazy, looking up Greek roots and even listening to commentaries. Instead of just going through the motions of studying, I look forward to it and am disappointed when I have to snap back in the “real” world. It’s been awesome!
9. I have transitioned from fear to faith. This goes back to habit number 7. When I used to pray about my own heart stuff and callings, I often would find myself clinging to my achieving nature that it had to be PERFECT or not at all. I was ruled by fear. Fear of failure. Fear of other people’s opinions. Fear of not getting it all done. (See Habit #10… weird how all of these things weave together, eh? It’s like He knows…)
One morning in my devotional, God revealed that He doesn’t answer prayers when we pray in fear… But He does answer when we pray in faith. (Note: There is a difference between “physical danger fear” like being held at gunpoint vs. fear that acts as the idol of our heart in all things.) So, when I started BELIEVING that God would truly help me to accomplish what He had called me to do, it started happening. And I was less stressed. My faith grew. I found joy. And the positive cycle was built on the faith foundation!
10. Acknowledging that God is in charge. (Well, mostly…) I used to be an obsessive, compulsive, easily-bent-out-of-shape planner person. Now you could probably describe me as a slightly less obsessive, compulsive, not-so-easily-bent-out-of-shape planner. I know. Work in progress. (I have a whole lifetime to become like Jesus, right?) Anywho, in my process of growing with Christ, I have learned to TRUST Him with more and more everyday. One of those HUGE things is my schedule. It’s not MY time. It’s His time.
A hard ministry lesson I have learned was one to always be in tune with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, He will say blog. Other days, He might say go for a run. Sometimes, He tells me play with my tiny human. Or take a nap. Or do all of the things stress-free (and on those days, I get it all done and feel great… because He is leading.) Trusting God with ALL THE THINGS (ok-ish) has been a hardcore game changer.
So friends– which of these habits resonate with you the most? What faith habits have changed your life? I would love to learn from you! Jump in and leave a comment.
It is hard to share in words the work the Lord has done in my heart. But friends, trust me– when we trust Him to transform, it will be the craziest, hardest, most rewarding ride we will ever take.
Transformed by Him,
“Faith is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” ~Mark 4:31-32 NIV
Linking up today with Kelly, Laura at Playdates with God, Joan’s Beauty in His Grip, Jen over at Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood, and Hazel via Tell Me a Story. Be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
