Soulful Habits

Do you possess great go-to habits? These are the actions to keep us on track toward who we’re meant to be. It’s what we’re so excited to share with our friends and family because they’re THAT impactful. Or maybe like me, you possess more not-so-great habits. The things we’d love to change but never quite can. The things we feel we cannot share.

My 2017 one word for MemoryMinders is habit. This is because much of what I teach but also attempt for my own memory and overall wellness revolve around habits. It’s about implementing the good or changing the bad. Often it’s both.

Last month, I mentioned some do’s and don’t habits I was focused on this year. Yet, I firmly believe all wellness stems from our soul. When our soul is well, we can be well no matter our worldly circumstance. We all have situations and stuff we need to live with or through in this sinful world. Tending to our soul wellness is paramount if we are to live for Jesus in a world that often does the opposite.

These are a few soul wellness habits I’m attempting to cultivate in my life lately. I’m hoping to flip some of my not-so-great to great habits for my soul wellness. Maybe you share some of these too…

  1. Worry less, trust more. I am a worrier, it’s part of my nature. But I also know this is a bad habit I can break and substitute with trusting completely in God.
  2. Abide in Him. The more I abide, the more my routine becomes prayer or praise rather than worry. Digging into His Word, seeking Him in prayer for myself and others, and focusing on praise and worship are becoming some of my favorite go-to habits. These are daily, conscious choices. Choosing to abide in Him alone cultivates the soul wellness seeds God longs to plant in my life. Those seeds grow best when planted in a God abiding soul.[tweetthis]Seeds of #Faith grow best in a God abiding #Soul. #Wellness #Habits[/tweetthis]
  3. Listen first. Listening has always come second to talking or acting for me. “Slow to speak” as James encourages is the opposite of my first instinct-‘quick to interrupt’. However, I’m learning to be still and hear God first. In the process, I am gaining His wisdom and direction. Listening first to God leads me to think more of His plan than mine. Listening first to others, instead of immediately inserting my opinion, allows me to think more of others than myself. Listen, then speak or act. It’s a good, God thing.
  4. Accept and appreciate the present. This has roots in my worrying nature. I’m so preoccupied thinking about the if’s of the future I miss the beauty of the now. I long to accept and appreciate God’s gift of the present. Only He knows what tomorrow will bring. I want to fully immerse myself in doing what God wants now, today. Work, laugh, relax, dream, or just be with those I love. In the rush of busy, being present gets lost. I’m learning to trust He’ll lead and give me all I need for tomorrow. As Jesus says:

    “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” ~ Matthew 6:34 NL

  5. Teach and release. I am a person who shares what I think. This is probably not surprising to most of you-(see habit #3). Coincidentally, I also strongly desire to share what I learn with others, whether it’s God’s saving grace, great memory techniques or yummy recipes. I love using the gifts God has given me. But, I need to share, then let go and allow others to make their own choices. I can plant seeds, but only God makes them grow. Letting go of control and leaving it in God’s hands is difficult at times. I’m learning this with my family, clients, and friends: teach and then release to God’s good plan.

I’ll keep you posted on these and other habits each month. More importantly, I’d love for you to share your soul habits, both the great and not-so-great with a comment here below or on Facebook. We are meant to live in community with each other. Only when we’re honest about makes us stumble, can we lift each other up to follow His footprints.

Linking up with Brenda Ottinger at #ChasingCommunity

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6 thoughts on “Soulful Habits”

  1. I agree, soul wellness is paramount to wellness in every area of our lives. And those 5 suggestions all follow the admonition of Psalm 46:10 to be still and let God be God in our lives. If we do that, if we still ourselves in the present space of His presence, we can be those who let go of worry, control, and all those other things that get in the way of choosing good habits for our daily journey.

    Great reminder today!
    Blessings,
    Dawn

    Reply
    • Thanks Dawn-I love when I actually am still enough to listen to Him to so many ways. It is one of my favorite things but so hard to do at times. But it’s so important as we follow Him. Thanks for your thoughts today!

      Reply
  2. Such a great list, Jill. I can especially identify with numbers 1 and 4. Isn’t it sad how so much of “today” gets swallowed up in the tornadic energy of the daily grind? I hate that. I don’t want to look back and see a life of blur, but a life of brightness and slowness. Such a balance! — Probably the habit that makes the most difference for me is prayer. (Which I’m sure is a big part of your “abiding.”) 🙂 —- Thanks so much for sharing with #ChasingCommunity today, friend. I appreciate you! ((xoxo))

    Reply
    • Amen to the power of prayer. It is through prayer, His Word, worship and praise in which I am abiding. Yes, to a life of bright and slow and balancing following and doing His will! Thanks for your thoughts and all you do for so many, Brenda!

      Reply
  3. Thanks for this post, Jill! It’s a great reminder.

    My not-so-great habit is to jump in and try to “fix” everything. I’m so grateful that God has shown and continues to show me that I can’t fix things. Only He can. I can’t even fix my “fix-it” habit. But again, I’m so grateful that He can and is. He is replacing it with the habit of letting go, trusting and resting in Him.

    Reply
    • Yes, He is the ‘fixer’ of all things, if only we’d let go more and trust in Him. I’m with you on that one, Marelene-thanks for stopping by and your thoughts!

      Reply

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