The Power of Habits Part 2: Be Intentional

Podcast

Mar 5

What things in your life do you approach intentionally? Do you stumble through your days or greet each task purposefully? As we discuss habits, it really boils down to being intentional. We must be intentional with our time, money, skills, and, most importantly, our mindset. Think about a time when your mind was so set on something it would have been impossible to get you off course. If you have ever had the privilege of raising a strong-willed child, you understand how intention looks.

Successful people are intentional people. Very rarely do individuals stumble and fall into success. They had to become focused on what mattered and build the habits to accomplish their goals. Success doesn't happen accidentally; it is planned with strategic steps to create the path for that success.

It is said that the way you do anything is the way you do everything. That's a sobering thought, isn't it? If your house is a mess, chances are your car matches. If you tend to be late for work, you're probably late for most things. Living an intentional life is not exclusive to one thing or area of your life but bleeds into everything you do.

Christians should especially greet each day with intention because how we're called to approach our lives is contrary to the world. We're supposed to love our enemies, give (tithe) from the first of our income, be patient, kind, and have self-control. These are just a few of the ways we are instructed to live.

One of the hardest things we are called to do is stand guard over what comes out of our mouths. We must be very intentional not to complain or speak fear and unbelief. Again, we live in a world full of bitter ugliness. If we're not careful, we will start floating down that river of negativity and doubt, speaking what we see and feel instead of what God's Word says.

Godly habits require Godly intentions.

The definition of intention is to be determined to act in a certain way – it's the first step in creating Godly habits. We must purposely let the Word of God change us and follow His prescription for a successful life in Him. Romans 12:1-2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (NKJV). We are to renew our minds with the Word of God, which will, in turn, develop our intentions.

There are many important areas of intention we could discuss for living a Christian life, but I want to narrow it down to the overarching disciplines.

Seek Him

Our first intention is to seek after God. You all know I'm big on this one, but John 15:5 says, "without Me (God), you can do nothing." Therefore it's so vital to seek Him in everything we do and everywhere we go. It doesn't mean reading your Bible in the morning and then going about your day without HIm. Be intentional about seeking Him for wisdom in ALL that you do. There isn't anything too small to talk about with God. He wants to be in the small details of your life as well as the big moments. The more we're "around" God, we will start to act like Him.

Love

We have one commandment - love God and love others. So, obviously, love is an intention that we must have. Of course, there's a lot that goes into love. As 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 points out, "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends" (ESV). In order to respond to people and situations with this kind of love takes time with love - time with God.

Faith

Faith is definitely something that requires intention. It requires us to believe and trust the unseen in a way that we speak and act as if it's in the here and now. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (NKJV). That means if the Bible says it, I believe it BEFORE I see it in my life. We must purpose to refuse fear and doubt and heed what the Bible says about our lives and situations.

Recognize the Devil's Schemes

Here's the thing - once you make a quality decision to live your life for God, the enemy will do whatever it takes to knock you off course. Part of setting an intention is first to release what holds us back. The devil is good at pointing out your faults and your past mistakes. He wants to keep you bound with shame and make you feel like you will never get your life right, so why try? He feeds you those lies only because he knows the power of seeking God, acting in love, and having faith. The devil wants to distract us with our busy schedules and anything that will pull our attention away from the Word. Realize and recognize how he works, and keep your eyes on Jesus and you will have great success in your Christian walk.

If you're ready to dive deeper into your faith and relationship with God, it begins with setting your intentions. When we mess up, God will be there to forgive us, pick us up, and encourage us to keep going. You got this!

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