A CREATURE OF HABIT

A CREATURE OF HABIT!

Luke 4:16

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Acts 17:2

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

           I’m a creature of habit. I don’t like change. Even the introduction of something new and beneficial forces me to create a slot in my life where the new thing will fit and I am not really comfortable until it becomes part of my routine.

           I don’t really like interruptions but my calling often is defined by interruptions. I seldom know what may be presented to me in an instant that should have required preparation. I often must draw on previous preparation and experience. My temperament actually doesn’t like that. I’m a creature of habit.

In 1960, Maxwell Maltz published a book called Psycho-Cybernetics in which he said that it takes a minimum of 21 days to form a new habit. The book went on to become an blockbuster hit, selling more than 30 million copies. Maltz said, “Commonly observed phenomena tend to show that it requires a minimum of about 21 days for an old mental image to dissolve and a new one to jell.” Later research revealed that it often takes from two to eight months to form a new habit.

           Like Jesus and Paul, I have made it a habit to attend church, to sing hymns, and to study the Bible. These are good habits that should be developed and maintained. Too many professing believers allow their other habits to hinder them from the practice of religious habits. They, too, are creatures of habit but their habits are not good ones.

Dear Lord, let me persevere long enough to replace old habits with new ones. AMEN