The Generous Wife
a daily reminder to grow your marriage
It’s a Habit or It’s Not
I try to be kind and encouraging. The world is a broken negative place where the people I love get pretty beat up. I figure we don’t need any more of that than we already have. But, honestly, it hasn’t always come easily. It’s easier to complain or whine or be fussy.
At one point I realized the only way I was going to actually become kinder and more encouraging was by making it a habit, practicing it daily, day after day after day until it came more naturally.
That’s the truth of it. If you want to be kind, encouraging, or any number of caring behaviors, you have to practice it and make it a habit. Journaling your words and actions is helpful. Perhaps write it as a reminder on your to-do list, leave yourself a sticky note (or two or three), or ask your prayer partner to remind you.
It’s either a habit … or it’s not.
Always be a little kinder than necessary. James M Barrie
- Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you build the habit of speaking and acting kindly.
- Gary Thomas: Raising the Bar for Our Marriages Take the 2020 Cherish Challenge!
- A Wife Like Me: To the Wife Wanting to Be Mentored It’s an amazing helpful relationship.
- The Week in Review: Have you …
… given more weight to all that is beautiful in your husband?
… looked for opportunities to celebrate with your hubby?
… stepped outside to enjoy God’s creation?
… considered creative options for solving marriage issues?
… looked for marriage-friendly entertainment?
… invited your husband to something you both enjoyed in the past?
… worked on building the habit of kindness?
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2 responses to “It’s a Habit or It’s Not”
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Thanks for this wonderful reminder Lori. Just this morning in my QT I was reading about Paul writing to Timothy (2Timothy 1:4) saying that he recalls Timothy’s tears and because of this prayed for Timothy night and day. Dude, I was so challenged by the Lord in regards to how I do not pray for others like I should. I pray, but night and day? Nope! So I cried out to the Lord and asked Him for help to be intentional and proactive in my praying for others. I needed to make it like a habit so that praying became natural for me. I also asked God to help me see the tears others were crying and then to be moved by them!
What you are saying (well, what I read between the lines!) is that we need to be intentional and proactive if we want things to change. So this is my challenge to me! :-)
:) Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yes, let’s be intentional.