It is natural for people to want to do what they have learned is right. This is good! But there is a downside to this. Whenever we desire to make changes, we, as human beings, are usually a little extreme in our actions. Foe example, when we find we have been eating the wrong kinds of foods we may go home and empty the cupboards of everything that we’ve learned is not so good. After all, if it’s not good lets get rid of it!

Unless a person is suffering from a life-threatening disease I would not recommend such a radical dietary change. Over the years, I have found that the most successful way to change a wrong habit to a good habit is to not focus on getting rid of a wrong habit but rather focus on adding a right habit.

There is a principle of thought which needs to be considered here; “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Bad habits, which make us feel good, need to be dealt with by adding good habits that make us feel good. In other words, do not focus on giving up or quitting but rather on adding.

Jesus constantly saw the good in people; He saw what they could become if their hearts were surrendered. Isaiah put it like this: “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench” (Isaiah 42:3). We all pretty well know what bad habits or character traits we do not like in ourselves, but just as Jesus did not focus on the weak points of those struggling to overcome so we should not be focusing on our own weak points but rather focus on what we have that is good. Accentuate the positive. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

We do need to realize our sinful condition as fallen human beings but this should not become our focus. Neither should focus on self take up time that should be spent focusing on Jesus.

Physical and Spiritual Parallels

Consistency
Physical: Consistently eating something we know is good for us has a dampening effect on the desire for not-so-good things. To begin with, there is only so much room in the stomach. When we put something good in it leaves less room for something that is not so good. We will find ourselves eating less of the things that are not so good simply because there is no room for them.

Spiritual: Consistent time spent in prayerful Bible study leaves less time for our carnal natures to clamor for indulgence. It leaves less time to watch television or read materials that may not be the most elevating to our spiritual nature. As we are persistent in our Bible study we find ourselves thinking more about the material we have studied and thirsting for answers to our questions. Thus, our desire for spiritual things becomes stronger than the desire for carnal things.

Persistence
Physical: Persistence is the key to changing things for the better. I very often counsel patients to add good things to what they are currently doing, such as having a big green smoothie before having their supper. In a short while, they find themselves eating less of the foods that harm them and actually craving the foods which are beneficial. Needless to say, their symptoms also start disappearing and they find they have more energy.

Spiritual: Start adding the good persistently, such as having prayer time before you get dressed in the morning; having prayer mid-morning as a spiritual pick-me-up; or having prayer time before you leave for lunch. Do you get the idea? Within a short while, Jesus starts to become your Counselor in everything you do; your spiritual health will become very good and the symptoms of worldliness will begin to subside.

Practice
Physical: The more we eat healthy fod, the more likely we will happen to like the taste of it. When this happens, we may eat more than we planned on and find a lot less room for the not-so-good things.

Spiritual: If the Spirit of Jesus lives in you, lost souls may find you as attractive as they found Jesus; you may find them wanting to spend more time with you then they do with their worldly friends.

Just as sure as taking the time to eat healthfully is a good investment, spending time thinking upon Biblical, spiritual subject matter is definitely not time lost.

Upon the right improvement of our time depends our success in acquiring knowledge and mental culture. The cultivation of the intellect need not be prevented by poverty, humble origin, or unfavorable surroundings. Only let the moments be treasured. A few moments here and a few there, that might be frittered away in aimless talk; the morning hours so often wasted in bed; the time spent in traveling on trams or railway cars, or waiting at the station; the moments of waiting for meals, waiting for those who are tardy in keeping an appointment--if a book were kept at hand, and these fragments of time were improved in study, reading, or careful thought, what might not be accomplished. A resolute purpose, persistent industry, and careful economy of time, will enable men to acquire knowledge and mental discipline which will qualify them for almost any position of influence and usefulness (Christ’s Object Lessons, 343:4).

The one thing we all have, whether we are rich or poor, sick or healthy, is time. We have all been given the choice as to how we use that time. No one can control our thoughts. Even prisoners can pray silently and commune with God.

Be gentle with your weak points and the weak points of others (both spiritual and physical) and do your best to make consistent use of the time that God has provided for you to grow up into the fullness of the stature of Christ.