Read the Bible

You need God’s Word more than you need your daily bread (Matthew 4:4), but sometimes, in the rush of life, you forget. With intentionality and structure, however, you can make time to read the Word. Choose a Bible reading plan or study, and track your progress.

Bible.com has plans you can download to your smartphone and take with you wherever you go. Or follow the L:B Daily Reading Plan, pages 10, 12 and 14, which guides you through reading the entire Bible in 365 days.

Aim for Health

Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), but changing unhealthy eating and exercising habits can be difficult. So first, ask the Lord to change your heart and mind. Start with small steps, such as carrying a water bottle with you and drinking from it throughout the day. Get rid of any food in your house that keeps you in old patterns, and schedule exercise into your week. Join a walking club, head to the gym or start with two laps around your neighborhood.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? you are not your own, For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Pray

Making prayer a habit starts with setting aside regular time to pray. So set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and journal your prayers in the morning. Or go on regular prayer walks with a friend—the accountability will get you out the door, and the friendship will grow too! Keep a prayer list by your bed or in the back of your journal; as God answers prayer, you will be spurred on to pray even more.

Speak Life

The Bible cautions that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). But many find themselves speaking in harsh tones to those they love the most. To change this habit of speaking negatively, immerse your mind in the truth of Scripture (see “Read the Bible,” left), and ask God for help. Then, consider starting every family meal with one encouragement for every person around the table. This can build a habit that will create an environment of grace and love in the home.

Rest

The culture praises busyness and productivity, but God knows how much you need consistent and meaningful rest. Resting is both a habit and an act of obedience. God calls you to honor the Sabbath, knowing how dearly we need a day every week to slow down. If that feels like an impossible habit to start right away, work on resting in smaller increments. Stop scrolling on your phone and set it in another room for half an hour every day. Choose rest instead, such as taking a nap or reading a soul-refreshing book. When you rest, remember that God is in control and you don’t have to try and hold everything together.