I have yet to meet a called worker who does not recognize the importance of caring for their soul, mind, and body. However, I have met many who struggle to intentionally invest time in nurturing these essential areas. The list of excuses is long. So what gives?
One common tendency is the idea that the “right time” to develop healthy habits is always just around the corner. “When summer comes, then I will begin to exercise.” “When the busyness of Lent is over, then I will dedicate more time to the Word and prayer.” “When this conflict is resolved, then I will focus on managing my stress.” But these aspirations often result in nothing more than kicking the can down the road. And by the time we return to the can, another pressing dilemma has taken its place, squeezing the life out of our good intentions.
The best time to establish healthy habits was YESTERDAY. The next best time is TODAY. To gain traction, we need to shift our focus from external pressures to internal transformation. We may feel the pressure to be more patient, kinder, calmer, more understanding, stronger, and more fit. But this pressure does not produce lasting behavior change. They may move the needle temporarily, but what produces real change is something much greater—remembering God’s love for us, embracing our identity in Christ, seeking a deeper relationship with our Lord, and desiring to glorify Him in all we do.
Consider this perspective:
-
When spiritual habits are rooted in a love for God rather than a task to complete, they become a source of strength.
-
When emotional habits are shaped by trust in God rather than a desire to fix human behavior, they bring peace.
-
When physical habits are based on honoring the body as God’s temple rather than a desire to lower the number on a scale, they lead to long-term well-being.
True transformation begins when we stop waiting for the “perfect time” and instead, allow God’s grace to shape our daily rhythms. Today is the day to take that step forward.