Developing Healthy Habits

Just as Coach Wooden’s teams began the basketball season by learning how to put on socks properly, we often need to break old habits before we begin new ones. The story of Gideon in the Bible shows how the Lord can help us do both.

After a period of wickedness, the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites. The Lord prepared a man named Gideon to help deliver Israel from their enemies (see Judges 6:11–14).

As he received the Lord’s assignment, Gideon expressed concern that he would not be able to fulfill it (see Judges 6:15).

Read Judges 6:16. Look for the comforting promise the Lord made to Gideon.

After comforting Gideon, the Lord asked him to complete two tasks.

Read Judges 6:25–26. Mark what the Lord asked him to do.

Note: Baal was a pagan god the people worshipped instead of the Lord (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Baal,” Gospel Library).

Why do you think the Lord instructed Gideon to first tear down the altar to Baal and then build a new altar to the Lord? Why is it important to consider habits we need to get rid of and habits to develop?

Just as the Lord helped Gideon know what to eliminate and add to the lives of the Israelites, He will help you.

Overcoming unhealthy habits

We can feel tempted to begin or return to unhealthy habits when we feel strong emotions like anger, fatigue, stress, loneliness, or boredom. Likewise, certain situations or settings can often trigger a return to a habit. As we seek help from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost will help us recognize these situations and what we feel tempted to do.

Imagine Amara, a teenager living in Ghana. She has a younger sister, works at a part-time job, and attends school. Think of a situation in which Amara might feel one of the following emotions. Then choose an unhealthy habit that emotion might trigger.

Trigger	Unhealthy Habit
Trigger stressed	Unhealthy Habit eating unhealthy food
Trigger lonely	Unhealthy Habit spending the rest of the day watching TV
Trigger bored	Unhealthy Habit watching social media videos for hours
Trigger other	Unhealthy Habit other

How might recognizing what leads to unhealthy habits help Amara begin to overcome them?

In your notebook, record at least three triggers that prompt unhealthy habits in your life. You could use phrases like the following to help you think of triggers.

• When I feel , I often feel a desire to .

Changing our habits is hard work. Fortunately, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ promise to help us change.

Read Ezekiel 36:26–27; Mosiah 3:19; and Ether 12:27, looking for what these scriptures teach about how Jesus Christ can help us change. Mark phrases in the verses you think can apply to changing our habits.

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also taught about changing our habits:

12:45

Of course, we all have some habits or flaws or personal history that could keep us from complete spiritual immersion in this work. … [T]here is divine help for every one of us at any hour we feel to make a change in our behavior. God gave Saul “another heart.” Ezekiel called on all of ancient Israel to cast off her past and “make … a new heart and a new spirit.” Alma called for a “mighty change” that would cause the soul to expand, and Jesus Himself taught that “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Clearly the possibility of change and living at a more elevated level has always been one of the gifts of God to those who seek it. (“The Greatest Possession,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 9)

habits, change, repentance

Why do you think we need the help of Jesus Christ to change our habits? What are some ways we can come unto Him so He can help us change our habits?

Read Alma 13:28–29. Mark ways we can come unto Jesus Christ so He can help us change our habits. Use what you find as you complete the following prompts in your notebook.

• One thing I will invite the Lord’s help to stop doing is .

• One habit I will invite the Lord’s help to adopt is .

• To seek the help of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I will .