Many of us have a stubborn habit that shouldn’t be part of our life because it takes our focus away from God. It might be something like spending too much time on social media, or comfort eating, or an addiction to alcohol, gambling, or pornography. We can end up feeling trapped by our habits, but Jesus said He came so that ‘captives will be released’ (Luke 4:18 NLT). We can get back what we’ve lost through our bad habits, or even something better, by doing two things David did when the Amalekites destroyed his home and took his family captive: 1) He turned to God for strength. ‘David found strength in the Lord his God’ (1 Samuel 30:6 NLT). If we could solve our problems ourselves, we’d have done it. Acknowledging our powerlessness is the first step to victory. But acknowledging it is not the same as giving in to defeat and despair. It means that we can’t, but God can, and He will when we surrender to Him. 2) He turned to God for a strategy. ‘David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all”’ (v. 8 NKJV). David didn’t stop until he recovered everything the enemy had stolen from him. When God gives us a strategy, we need to have that attitude too. He wants us to live free from damaging habits, and to recover what they’ve taken from our lives. Knowing that will give us the faith and courage to ‘pursue…overtake…and recover all.’

What Now?

Write down a habit that you want to be free from. Then ask God for strength and a strategy. Write down anything He tells you, and then start to put His strategy into action.