The Secret to Gaining Victory Over Your Sabotaging Habits

Have you ever found yourself being pulled away from the important work you have to do by tasks and activities that are not related to your work? 

I'm not talking about the simple breaks in the day to refresh our minds, but those things that lure us away from our work, steal our precious time, and leave us feeling like a failure because we've avoided the important work we KNEW we needed to be doing... but just couldn't bring ourselves to DO. 

Well, you are not alone! 

Today we're going to be looking at this common problem that hinders our business growth and leaves us feeling like a failure. 

Sabotaging habits. 

Yup! We all have them and we all wish we didn't.  

But instead of avoiding this topic, let's lean in together to discover the root of this problem and the secret to gaining the victory that Christ has for us. 

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Transcript

Hi there friend I'm Kathleen Fischer and today we're going to be taking a look at a common problem that hinders our business growth and leaves us feeling like a failure. 

I bet you've guessed it from the title...  Sabotaging habits. 

Yup. We all have them and we all wish we didn't.   

Perhaps it's that habit of getting lost in the endless list of extra things to do around the house before we settle into our work. And before, you know it, half the day is gone. And so is the mojo we needed to tackle those important business projects.  

Or, you have a task that you're not quite sure how to handle. So you step away for a moment to change the laundry and clear your head. And the next thing, you know, you're cleaning the whole laundry room.  And the time you had for the project just got a lot shorter. And now, you are doubly stressed.  

Ugh.  

Or maybe you just finished working on an extra hard project. So you stepped away for a well-deserved mental break. And the next thing, you know, you're three episodes into your favorite Netflix show.  

The list can be endless and unique to each person. The one thing that these pesky habits all have in common is the power to derail our forward movement and the capacity to leave us feeling like a failure and wondering if we will ever break free from our self-sabotaging habits. 

Well, the truth is that Christ holds the power to set us free from our sabotaging habits and fill us with the vibrant and abundant life we need to get even the scariest projects done.  

The key is in learning the secret that breaks us free from our sabotaging habits and practicing that secret whenever our bad habits seek to lure us away from the work we long to get done.  

So let's start with prayer and then we'll dive in to learn more about the secret that will set us free. 

Heavenly father. Thank you that you are the father of all compassion and a God of mercy who understands our weaknesses.  Thank you that you sent your son Jesus to set us free from the things that bind us.  Thank you that you did not leave us, helpless on this earth, but you have given your power filled Holy Spirit to all those who have put their faith in your son. Jesus.  Awaken our hearts, Lord. As we consider the wisdom you have for us in today's episode. So that we will gain the very real hope we have in you to break free from the things that derail us from the work you've called us to do.  We asked for this with Thanksgiving through the precious name of your son. Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

 Okay. Let's dive in. 

The scripture that sets the stage for our discussion today is found in Romans chapter seven and eight. 

Let's start off by looking at this problem that is so common for us, but rarely talked about.  It is the problem of finding ourselves, doing things we don't want to do and not doing the things we do want to do.  

Perhaps it's the fear of a project that causes us to find 10 other things to do that are less important, but more comfortable.  

I know for me, I like to have my ducks in a row before I sit down to work, especially if that work is challenging. But sometimes those ducks can feel like hurting cats. And the next thing I know the morning energy I needed for that day's big project has turned into a feeling of, oh no. Now I don't have enough time to get that project done. My stress level, just doubled. 

And to make things even worse I begin to barrage myself with a quiver full of condemning thoughts. And the energy I also needed for that project has now been depleated.  It can be so discouraging when we get caught in these traps.  

Can you relate? 

I used to think I was the only one who had such a propensity to sabotage my work. 

But by God's grace, I am blessed to be able to speak with many passionate women of God in business who are bright, talented, and eager to fulfill God's will, but who also struggle with habits that sabotage their work.  

So let's get honest with each other. And let's lean in to gain the victory over this issue in our businesses.  

Let's start with a little bit of truth. 

Truth number one. You are not alone in the struggle.  

Go ahead. 

Take a moment to let that sink in. You are not alone. 

Your sisters are silently struggling in their corners of business. 

So let's allow our hearts to fill with compassion for one another, and allow a fire to rise up within us to work together to gain the victory Christ has for us over this issue.  

Truth number two. The sabotaging habits are simply our weak flesh, trying to handle the challenges we face in business. In ways that don't work. 

Truth number three. There is a reliable path we can follow to gain the victory over our sabotaging habits. 

 Hallelujah!. Thank you, Jesus. 

 Where can this victory be found?  

Well, thanks be to God that in Romans chapter seven, the great apostle Paul did us all a favor by authentically sharing his frustration with the habits of his weak flesh and its ability to sabotage the good that he knows to do and wants to do.  And Paul goes on to share in Romans eight, the steps we can take to gain the victory over our flesh and it's capacity to sabotage God's good works. 

Let's take a moment to listen in on Paul's own words about this topic in Romans 7:18-25.  And as we listen in, let's decide to grab a hold of the comfort and hope that God is seeking to deposit into our hearts today through Paul.  

Now bear with me. Reading Paul's words are a bit like a tongue twister.  But I think they well reflect the ping pong match that goes on within our heads when we wrestle with this issue.  Here we go.  

Starting in Romans 7:18.  For, I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is in my sinful nature. For, I have the desire to do what is good. But I can not carry it out.  For a do not do the good I want to do, but the evil, I do not want to do, this I keep on doing.  Now, if I do what I do not want to do. It is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  So I find this law at work.  Although I want to do good. Evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law.  But I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man am I, who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death.  

Can I get an amen in the comments from anyone who can relate to this drama?  

I especially resonate with the way Paul cries out after voicing his dilemma, saying what a wretched man am I, who will set me free from this body of death?  

Have you ever found yourself feeling like Paul? 

I know I have. 

And that's where we can take heart in Paul's answer to this question about who will rescue him from his body of death in verse 25 when he says, "thanks be to God. Through Jesus Christ. Our Lord." 

Yes!  Is Jesus Christ. Our Lord, who will rescue us from our bodies of death. Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus.  

But that's not the end of the good news. For Paul goes on to make the promise of victory even sweeter in Romans eight one where he declares to us all that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Because let's be honest. We heap a truckload of condemnation upon ourselves almost daily. When we feel like we are not measuring up to the faith filled and courageous ways we desire to work as we fulfill the will of God.  

Paul then goes on in Romans eight two to declare the secret to victory over our flesh and it's sabotaging habits when he testifies to God's glorious truth, that. Through Christ, the power of the spirit of life has set us free from the power of sin and death. 

There it is. Our victorious exit strategy.  

Christ has given us the power of the holy spirit who lives within us to set us free from our sin and death. 

As we look to him for help.  After this wonderful declaration of strategic help from the holy spirit.  Paul goes on to offer us a crisp statement of truth  that can help us synthesize this lesson into a few words.  This is one of my favorite scriptures. 

In Romans eight, six, Paul says. "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the holy spirit is life and peace."  In this beautiful statement of hope. Paul speaks the truth about the source of our problem. Our flesh. And he provides us with a summarized secret to our escape. The holy spirit who dwells within us.   

This scripture connect is a proverbial smelling salts. Whenever we feel the powerful pull of our flesh to do what we don't really want to do.  This scripture reminds us that we do not have to yield to our flesh and its capacity to bring us into death. 

Instead, we have hope that comes from the holy spirit, who has the power to govern our mind,  and lead us back onto the path that is filled with life and peace.  

What does this look like in real life? 

Well, for me, I've learned to turn my struggle into a prayer that often sounds something like this.  

Okay, Lord. I am feeling super intimidated by today's work. 

And so I want to keep putting everything in order around me.  So that I will feel better. Braver. Stronger and more ready to tackle the work.  But I know the answer to my strength isn't found in these things. It's found in you.  

So help me, Jesus. Fill me afresh with the power of your holy spirit to pull me out of the vortex 

I feel to avoid my work.  And give me the peace and confidence that comes from the help I know that you will give me.  Thank you. Jesus. For your grace that sets me free.  Thank you holy spirit for your super natural power to help me successfully accomplish today's work. 

I love you, Lord. And I thank you that you are the one who saves me and empowers me to fulfill the will of the father.  Glorify your name today in my heart and in my work, as I look to you,  

I thank you, Lord, for the help that I know you will give me.  Amen.  

Then I take a big breath. And I head away from the temptation I was facing  and into the good work I'm being called to do... together with Jesus and the holy spirit.  

I have consistently found the Lord answering this prayer, renewing my heart with strength. And courage as I look to him with confidence for the help that he has promised to give me.  

 So, I wonder, have you ever longed to gain victory over your sabotaging habits?  

And perhaps you've thought about turning to Jesus.  

But have you ever found yourself afraid to ask him for his help?  Maybe because you've been skipping out on spending quality time with him. And now you just feel too far away to ask him for his help.  

Well, remember Paul's words of encouragement in Romans eight one. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Jesus is not condemning you. Rather he is calling you in your distress.  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. And I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your soul.  

So how about we allow Jesus to speak into our hearts today about his power to set us free from our sabotaging habits.  

And how about we decide today to respond to Jesus by committing to turn to him in the midst of the struggles.  

And how about we take a moment  to create a simple prayer of Thanksgiving. That will reorient us to the Lord when we are struggling. 

Thank you, Lord, that you are greater than my flesh. Comfort me. And strengthened me to do the work together with you.  

And with your hand in Christ's, may you step into the amazing work God has called you to do and be in awe of how Jesus empowers you through his holy spirit to get the work done. 

 May you be blessed and encouraged in the days ahead.  

Let's pray.  

Lord. Jesus. Thank you. That you are always with us.  Thank you that you came and died to redeem us from our sins and to set us free  to live vibrantly and abundantly in you.  Thank you that you never condemn us in our weaknesses. But that you invite us into a whole new way to live and work together with you.  

Have mercy on us oh Lord. And fill us afresh with the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may embrace the challenges with confidence and courage. As we walk together with you.  We thank you for your power to do this through your holy name. Jesus. Amen.  

Stay tuned for the next episode where I will share a real life business story of how Jesus turned my paralyzing fears into courageous action in one of the biggest projects I've ever faced. I look forward to seeing you there.