There are two kinds of people in this world: those who love reading books like The Power of Habit and Atomic Habits, and those who don’t.
The problem? The habit-lovers are the minority. They’re the ones writing the books, leaving the rest of us feeling like we’ll never measure up. But here’s the good news: even if you’re not a natural habit keeper, there’s hope. You can build spiritual habits that help you grow.
Let me give you three reasons why I’m confident you can build good spiritual habits, even if you're not a natural habit keeper.
You Have the Power of the Holy Spirit
If spiritual growth relied on our strength, we would fail. The truth is, no one grows into Christlikeness by sheer willpower.
Christian, you have the Holy Spirit living in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in your life (Romans 8:11). God himself is transforming you, and he’s promised to finish what he started (Philippians 1:6). You don’t have to rely on your own strength; you have the Spirit’s power working in you.
This is where I appreciate critiques of spiritual disciplines and habits. If we’re not careful, we can make it sound like our efforts are the key to growth. But that’s not the full picture. Yes, our efforts matter, but they’re not enough on their own. We need God’s help to grow, and he’s promised to provide us with everything we need.
God Gives Believers a Desire for Him and His Word
One of the marks of a Christian is a love for God’s word. The Holy Spirit changes our hearts so that we long to know more about God and what he’s revealed. Psalm 119 is a beautiful meditation on this. The psalmist delights in God’s law, not out of duty, but out of love.
God also gives us a desire to pray. Let’s be honest: prayer is hard for most of us. But even in the struggle, God stirs in us a longing to talk to him, to seek his help, and to praise his name.
He also gives us a desire to gather with other believers in worship and fellowship.
The Christian life isn’t just about duty, it’s about delight: delight in God, his word, and his people. That’s why I’m confident you can develop habits like Scripture reading, prayer, and church involvement. God will transform your heart so that you want to do these things, even if habits don’t come naturally to you.
There’s one more reason I’m confident that God can help you build good spiritual habits even if you’re not a natural habit-keeper:
You Don't Have to Live the Christian Life Alone
Alone, we would struggle. But God hasn’t left us alone. He’s given us his Spirit, and he’s given us his church. We are meant to live the Christian life in community. Other believers can encourage us, challenge us, and walk alongside us. What we can’t do on our own, we can do with the help of others. And as we grow, we can also help others when they struggle. The church is a gift: a community where we can build each other up as we pursue God together.
So, Christian, even if you’re not a natural habit keeper, your hope isn’t in your own abilities. Your hope is in the resources God has given you: his Spirit, his word, and his people. You’re not alone in this. God is at work in you, and he will help you build the habits you need to grow. I'm confident because God is faithful and has given you everything you need to pursue Him (2 Peter 1:3). I have every confidence that God can and will work in your life to build the habits you need to grow.
