Habits give our goals a fighting chance!
Here are 5 areas (and practical steps) to create habits in 2023 to redirect our future: faith, family, friends, finance, and fun!
Text PROMISES to 94000 to connect!
Here are book recommendations for building habits!
Faith
Deepen your faith in 2023. Grow as a Disciple.
”For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” – Ephesians 2:8
Habits are bite-sized with the intention to weave them into our everyday life so that they become automatic. They set the foundation to our goals.
Know: God’s grace and faithfulness gives us the ability to have faith.
Habits:
1. Normalize reading the Bible for 5 minutes each day while eating breakfast or having morning coffee. Don’t worry about a deep study or meditation. Start with reading.
2. Write down your prayers in a quick list. Maybe this is right after you read in the morning or you begin a Note in your phone as soon as you wake up.
3. Serve someone once a week. Serve on the weekend at Intercessor or pick one friend, neighbor, or co-worker to give support in a thoughtful way.
Family
Prioritize intentional moments together.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11
Know: Whether family by blood or by choice, building bonds takes intentionality.
Habits:
1. Plan weekly meals together (breakfast, lunch, or dinner).
2. Pick a monthly activity and take turns on who plans it (having a movie night, game night, morning hike, etc).
3. Make a prayer board with post-it notes available. Every Sunday after church, pray together!
Friends
Make a new friend this year. Yes — making new friends as an adult can be challenging.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17
Know: You are a friend worth having!
Habits:
1. Go where you would want to find friends (church, gym, dog park, coffee shop, art museum, etc) at least once a month.
2. Be a friend. Listen to the details, follow up, be caring and kind.
3. Accept that different people in your life will have different friendships with you. Some friends will bond over common interests, while other friends can be a confidant.
Check out this article on how to make friends as an adult and what not to do!
Finance
Live generously and mindfully with God’s provision.
”And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
Know: Do not be anxious about anything because God will provide every need.
Habits:
1. Make a faith commitment to God with money. How much will you give back to Him monthly — 1%, 7%, 10%?
2. Keep cash handy (single dollars, $5, $20)! Look for opportunities to pay it forward in your day-to-day errands.
3. Overwhelmed and struggling to keep your head above water? Make a plan to be mindful every month with Ramsey+. Intercessor is providing your membership this year. Click here to activate it today. If you need more encouragement and direction — email us!
Fun
Prioritize taking care of you! You are worth being well.
“‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’” – Matthew 11:28-30
Know: Not only are you allowed to have fun, but you should have fun — often!
Habits:
1. Identify 1-3 activities that boost your serotonin (aka makes you happy)!
2. In a simple way, incorporate at least one of those activities in your life consistently (daily, weekly, monthly). PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR!
3. Tell someone about it to hold you accountable, or better yet — invite that someone along with you!
