Press on through the PROCESS one Brave Hearted step at a time.

 

Hello Brave Hearted Steppers, 

I've seen many in previous Januarys who desire new lifestyle changes, including new habits, goals, and challenges. However, after a few weeks, the desire starts dwindling. So many go back to how they were before January began with a comfortable lifestyle, including old habits, unfinished goals, and unfinished challenges, and not doing what they set out to do that year.

One of the things to understand when doing something new is that there is a PROCESS that goes along with it. For example, suppose you want to change to a healthier lifestyle. More than one exercise session or one healthier meal is needed for this change to happen as you have lived an "unhealthy" lifestyle for some time. Your body needs to adjust to the new before it becomes a healthier lifestyle change.

That is the same with our spiritual lifestyle. Suppose you want to change your spiritual lifestyle to include praying more, fasting more, reading more of God's word, congregating more (Hebrews 10:25), or doing more for the Kingdom of God. In that case, you need to adjust to the new before it becomes a spiritual lifestyle change.

Unfortunately, so many get frustrated with the PROCESS and give up before seeing the results of the lifestyle changes. If you are one of these people, I encourage you to press on and apply the following steps as you go through the PROCESS:

1. Put God first (Matthew 6:33)

2. Draw closer to God (James 4:8)

3. Write down your lifestyle changes (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

4. Set realistic goals (Proverbs 21:5)

5. Practice gratitude daily (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

6. Pray and Fast (Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 14:23, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

7. Praise and Worship (Psalm 29:2, Psalm 6:9, Psalm 34:1, Psalm 100:2, John 4:23, Hebrews 13:15)

8. Read and apply the word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

9. Put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6)

10. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I ask you to deposit patience in the hearts of every Brave Hearted Stepper to press on through the process toward the lifestyle you want them to have to the fullest. Please help them apply the steps in this post, as they are divine tools you have given us in your word. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

The next blog post is scheduled for Friday, January 13, 2023, on seven ways to put God first.

Many Blessings, 

Maria Guzman