Q:
I have a bad habit that I know isn't good for my health, and it could even give me cancer or something if I don't stop. But no matter how hard I try, I still can't quit. Can God help me? He must be very disappointed in me.
A:
Have you ever asked God – sincerely and fervently – to help you fight this habit? God loves you and wants you to be free from it even more than you do – and because of this, He wants to help you overcome it. This was the Apostle Paul’s experience: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV).
How can God help you overcome this habit? First, He wants to help you be honest about your own helplessness. As long as you think you can conquer this habit on your own, you’ll probably keep on failing. Its grip on you is too strong – and you are too weak. If you think you can overcome it on your own, you’ll never truly seek God’s help. But when you admit your helplessness and ask God to help you, then there is hope. Begin now by turning to Christ and confessing your need for His help – and His forgiveness.
Then God will help you by giving you a new desire to do what is right in His eyes – not out of fear, but out of love. When Christ comes into our hearts, we begin to realize just how much God loves us – and we’ll want to love Him in return by living the way we should.
Finally, God wants to help you by giving you the practical wisdom you’ll need to overcome your habit. For example, avoid situations where you know you’ll be tempted, and surround yourself with people who know Christ and can encourage you.