Read How to Defeat Harmful Habits (Counseling Through the Bible Series) for Free Online Page B

him”
    (C OLOSSIANS 3:17).
     
    God created you to find your significance in His relationship with you:

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the L ORD , ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’”
    (J EREMIAH 29:11).
     
    • Are you seeking to meet your inner need for security through acquisitions?
– Possessions
– Money
– Property
– People
    The Bible says,

“He who fears the L ORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge”
    (P ROVERBS 14:26).
     
    God created you to be secure in His relationship with you:

“You also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory”
    (E PHESIANS 1:13-14).
     
    Unfortunately, many of our efforts to meet these three inner needs have little or no connection to the provisions and promises of God. If you have developed behavioral patterns that make you dependent on anything or anyone other than your heavenly Father, you can find freedom by seeking Him now!

“‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the L ORD , ‘and will bring you back from captivity’”
    (J EREMIAH 29:13-14).
B. What Is Negative Self-talk?
    Before the sober-faced judge, Marion Jones called herself what she believed was her new identity: a liar and a cheat . But what she felt she had become didn’t have to be permanent. Change is always possible; forgiveness is always available.
    Following her court appearance, Marion read,

It’s with a great amount of shame that I stand before you and tell you that I have betrayed your trust. I have been dishonest and you have the right to be angry with me. I have let them [her family] down, I have let my country down, and I have let myself down. I recognize that by saying I’m deeply sorry, it might not be enough and sufficient to address the pain and hurt that I’ve caused you. Therefore, I want to ask for your forgiveness for my actions, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. 34
     
    What “music” to God’s ears!

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise”
    (P SALM 51:17).

    As happened with Marion Jones, behavior springs from beliefs, and what you tell yourself greatly influences your actions. If you are struggling with trying to overcome a bad habit but having little success, it may be that you are entertaining self-defeating thoughts. You need to be aware that

“the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”
    (H EBREWS 4:12).
     
    Check the list of wrong beliefs below to see whether your thoughts are helping or hurting your efforts to rid yourself of an un-Christlike habit.

    “I cannot control this habit. It’s simply too strong for me.”
    “It shouldn’t be this difficult to change; something must be wrong with me.”
    “I don’t have what it takes to overcome this habit.”
    “It’s unfair that I have to deny myself the enjoyment of this activity.”
    “My desires are too strong for me to ever deny them.”
    “I can’t stand going without the pleasure this habit gives me.”
    “I’m not worth all this trouble, effort, and pain anyway, so why try to change?”
    “God knows I am too weak to overcome this habit.”
    “I’m just a loser anyway.”
    “God won’t help someone like me.”
    “I’ve been doing this far too long to try to change now.”
    “This has just become a part of who I am.”
    Self-defeating habits will continue to keep you in bondage if you fail to change your faulty thinking:
     
“Stop thinking like