Last week I was reminded of a couple of books I read a few years ago. I was listening to a podcast interview of Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit. It prompted me to reopen his book. Habits are such an interesting topic. Before this blog post is written off as some cheesy self-help thing… both books mention that about 40% of our daily activities are habitual. That means it is on repeat. And, that’s just the awake hours. The bottom line is most of what we do day to day is a habit. So, forming the right habits is so crucial.
When thinking on habits, it typically starts with the big stuff … lose weight, exercise, eat better, stop procrastinating, quit smoking, spend more time with family. But, what I think we often miss are the things that go almost unnoticed. It’s all of those little things that we do over and over. Those things add up, and they basically run our life.
The little things. That’s what we need to focus on. Because people usually become whatever they do on repeat. In other words, we are a culmination of all of those things added up.
That sounds obvious when you say it out loud, but it’s deeper than we realize.
Most of us think our lives are shaped by big moments. Those big decisions or those big failures.
And, sometimes they are. But, they don’t have to be. That big mistake from the past doesn’t have to ruin the rest of your life. Likewise, that major accomplishment from another period in life isn’t going to sustain you forever.
It’s the little things added up that change our course.
James Clear wrote:
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”
This is so true. It’s true spiritually as well. The little thoughts you constantly entertain matter. The “no big deal” things you keep feeding matter. The way you respond when nobody is watching matters. It may no matter all at once… but slowly.
That’s the thing about habits. They usually don’t feel powerful while they’re forming. It’s just one walk around the block. It’s just one doughnut. It’s just a few minutes of scrolling on the phone. Most of them feel small and almost forgettable. This goes for good habits and bad habits.
A short prayer. A little compromise. Opening your Bible… or not. Constant negativity. Quiet gratitude. Choosing forgiveness. Feeding your anger. That Netflix binge. Worshipping. Complaining. All of these are just little daily choices.
Little things add up. And over time, those little things start shaping your heart and mind.
Charles Duhigg said:
“Habits aren’t destiny. Habits can be ignored, changed, or replaced.”
Aren’t you thankful for that? Because some people feel stuck in patterns they’ve carried for years. And the truth is… God really can change people. Let me repeat that … God really can change people. Not just emotionally for a moment, but deeply forever. Sometimes we want God to change our lives instantly while ignoring the daily things pulling us in the opposite direction.
Scripture talks a lot about sowing and reaping. A farmer doesn’t plant a seed and panic the next morning because nothing changed overnight. Growth takes time. Roots take time. Our spiritual life is the same way. It takes time and most spiritual growth is quieter than we expect. It happens in repeated surrender and obedience. In those small moments where you choose God again.
Luke 16:10 says:
“The one who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much…”
There it is clear as day in the Bible, it’s the “little thing”. When you do the little thing right, when you have faith in that little thing, you will have faith in the big thing. Faithfulness is like that. It usually starts in places nobody sees. It’s doing the right thing without any credit. Doing that right thing without any immediate gratification or reward. It’s simply doing that little thing,
What this means is that small acts of obedience actually matter. One little prayer matters. One little decision matters. That one moment of discipline matters. All of these little things add up. Maybe more than we realize.
Wherever you are today in your habits doesn’t matter. Today is the starting point. You want to change the course of your life? You can think about the big thing, but start right now with the little things. One little thing can change everything.