Forming Habits of Faith with Jen Pollock Michel

You are forming habits all the time, whether passively or actively. So in a way, your life is a compilation of your habits. The question is: what kind of habits are we forming? And can we actually form habits that fortify our faith and help us grow in Christlikeness? Many of us hear the word “habit”, and we apply the concept to things like working out or washing our faces before bed. Or maybe we primarily think of “bad” habits, like the habit of biting your nails when you’re bored or anxious; the habit of reaching for your phone when you’re waiting in line; or the habit of binge eating sweets when you’re stressed. But can “good” habits be cultivated with the aim of growing our faith? Why should this idea of habits be related to spiritual things at all?   Habits mean automation. It means we don’t have to invest as much energy and thought into doing something. When we put it that way, we can easily see how habits can be beneficial for our spiritual lives. Think about it: when you cultivate the habit of remembering God’s faithfulness, you’re going to find yourself calling that truth to mind when your life circumstances want to convince you that God has forsaken you. When you cultivate the habit of trusting in God to provide, you’re going to refrain from despairing when you hit a rough patch.   So what can we practically do to form these habits of faith? Today, we are joined by Jen Pollock Michel. Jen wrote the book A Habit Called Faith. Jen helps us see how habits impact our lives, and she offers practical advice so that we can form good habits that can help us grow in godliness. You can find Jen on Instagram at @jenpmichel and at her website (click here).   Here are some questions we work through in this episode:     What impact do habits have on our lives in general? (3:34) How might the impact of forming habits carry over into growing in faith? (5:57) What are some habits that believers can form to help us grow in Christlikeness? (8:50) What are some practical things we can do to start forming these habits in our lives? (13:08) What are some bad habits that might inhibit our growth, and how can we break them? (20:07) Why is the habit of Bible study particularly important for our faith? (28:49) How can we work toward building a Bible study habit when we don’t feel motivated? (33:02)     Resources mentioned in this episode: A Habit Called Faith by Jen Pollock Michel Teach Us to Want by Jen Pollock Michel Keeping Place by Jen Pollock Michel Surprised by Paradox by Jen Pollock Michel Atomic Habits by James Clear Prayer Journals and Cards by The Daily Grace Co.  New York Times Cooking App Queen West Candle by Vancouver Candle Co. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson by Winn Collier The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos  Jen Pollock Michel on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook   Scripture mentioned in this episode: James 2:14-19 Psalm 1:2-3 Philippians 4:8-9 Colossians 3:12-13 2 Timothy 3:16   Connect with us: Subscribe to Daily Grace: on iOS, go to our iTunes page and click subscribe.  On Android, click this podcast RSS feed link and choose your podcast app.  If needed, you can copy this link directly into your favorite podcast app (like Stitcher or Overcast). Or follow us on Spotify!   We would love it if you took a few minutes to leave us an iTunes review to help spread the word about Daily Grace!  We want to invite more women into our conversations!   Download The Daily Grace app: for iOS, click here to download.  On Android, click here to download. Visit The Daily Grace Co. for beautiful products for the whole family that will equip you on your journey to knowing and loving God more.  Subscribe to The Daily Grace Newsletter and receive free Bible study resources in your inbox.  Like The Daily Grace Co. on Facebook. Follow @dailygracepodcast on Instagram for exclusive podcast content and @thedailygraceco for all things The Daily Grace Co. Engage with our Facebook community, “The Daily Grace Co. Community”.  Read The Daily Grace blog for encouragement throughout the week that is steeped in biblical truths.   * Affiliate links used are used where appropriate. Thank you for supporting the products that support the production of this podcast! *    The opinions of guests on the Daily Grace podcast do not represent the opinions of The Daily Grace Co., and we do not necessarily endorse the resources that they recommend or mention on the show. We believe it is valuable to hear from a variety of guests, even if we do not agree in all areas. As always, the statements made by hosts and guests on the show should be tested against God's Word, the only authority on truth.