The One Thing You Must Change to Meet Any Goal {Healthy Habits Tuesday}

This week has been a struggle for me. I’ve been struggling with my sleep pattern. I’ve come a long way from my days as a teenager, where all I wanted to do was sleep. Actually, all I wanted to do was stay up all night, and then sleep really late. As I grew up (and got a job, and married, and had kids…), this area was probably the second biggest area that I struggled with self-discipline (the first is food). And I was miserable.

Long story short, I began praying for God to make me a morning person. I don’t even remember when I started praying this. I just knew that I got so much more done in my day when I got out of bed before the kids got up around 8:00 a.m. Which brings us to the present. I very much want to be up early (early = 6 a.m. for me), I’ve even prayed for God to help me.

Would you be surprised that He is faithful to help me? It shouldn’t.

Would it surprise you to know that I’ve ignored his prompting on the mornings that He didn’t wake the baby to nurse as my help to get out of bed? It shouldn’t.

Enter frustration.

My struggle this week has been frustration with myself. So today’s post is really for me (aren’t they all?). I’ve had this post topic in my little blog binder since the beginning of the month. Apparently, God knew I would need it this week.

The one thing you must change to meet any goal? The voice in your head. The one that says, “I don’t want to get out of bed” or “I’ll start eating healthy tomorrow.” The voice that you allow to play in your head all day will set the tone for your day, which in turn, sets the tone for your life.

What do you replace it with?

• Scripture. Read it. Write it. Memorize it. Say it over and over again in your head. Do it as you fall asleep and again when you get up.
• Worship. Prayers of adoration. Praising God for who He is. Sing worship songs in your head. Seriously. Or just repeat this – “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” See Revelation 4:8.
• Gratitude. You may need serious change in your life, but there is always something to be thankful for. The very breath you breathe is a gift from God. You don’t have to write them out for it to count, though you may find that helpful. Focus your mind on the things God has already given you. Count your blessings all day long in your head. It has a way of changing your perspective.
• Prayer. Lay it all out. Tell Him how frustrated, angry, hurt you are (He knows). Tell Him everything that you would tell in a venting session with your closest friend (He’s a better listener). And then, ask Him to change you. You have to be willing to LET Him change you, but if you’re willing, He will.

Did you notice something?

Not one of these changes is really you. This list is you leaning on your heavenly Father. Depending on Him. Desperately needing Him. Firmly planting yourself in His presence.

He is faithful.

Even when you’re not.

Linking up to Teachers of Good Things and Titus 2sday. Be sure to check out both of those posts for more encouragement.

Also linking up with Wellness Wednesdays.