We create habits to help us establish a familiar world, and then rely on them to help us feel in control. We would probably list these habits as good habits. Everyone of us have routines that are ingrained in us and what we do everyday.

Most of our behavior is demonstrated by our habits. But, what is a habit? Organically, habits are formed through continuous, electrical impulse signals to our brain, which the sensory nerves communicate from our hearing, touch, vision taste and smell to the thinking portion of our brain over our lifetime. Cognitively, habits are a recurrent, often unconscious system of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition, an accepted disposition of the mind or character.

It is paramount to concede that some of those habits are not good for us. We all have habits or procedures that are what makes us unique and reveal how we live and work - but there comes a time when we need to admit that some of those habits are unfavorable for us. Each of us have some habits in their lives that steals their day-to-day lifestyle of a little (or a lot) of happiness.

You may see that to effectually control habit changes, dissolving bad habits require exchanging them with new profitable ones. General bad habits often include: over scheduling, over spending, over eating, and even over analyzing. We often feel that we can't overcome an area because it is a "habit," and conventionally habits are hard to break.

Where do these habits come from? We indoctrinate ourselves with injurious habits as written in 2 Peter 2:14, we are insatiable for sin [we] train our hearts in greed.

Bad habits are genetic coming from parents and grandparents. 1 Peter 1:18, shows that the useless behavior patterns that were passed down from your previous generations. But, when Christ releases you from them He makes it possible to live the remainder of your days no longer following human desires, but following the will of God.

We get them from affiliation. Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33, Dont be misled, bad associates corrupt good habits. Further, he notes, There are some who, out of habit formed in idolatry, still eat food as if it were offered to idols, and because their conscience is weak, they are in the wrong. So it is apparent that even after good habits are established being around those who are of contrary behavior can destroy them.

What do we need to do about our habits?

5 steps to replace an unhealthy habit into a healthy one

The first step in breaking a bad habit is to stop trying to break it and create a plan to change it. A habit implies that a learning has imprinted in behavior that occurs so automatically that the individual does not have to plan this action or behavior. Often you are not even aware of what you are doing until after it is done. You must set in place a method to realize this unprofitable habit or action.

Two, the contrary behavior is like a hole in your personality. It needs to be filled with something that is good and profitable. The Holy Spirit by His Word instructs in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) so that new practices become habits in place of old ones. Set your mind on what you will do in place of the habit you intend to redeem.

Three, the time when you are most likely to engage in sinful patterns are when you are stressed, hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. You can recall this with the acronym Shalt as in shalt not! Keep watch on these occasions as this is when your will be most vulnerable.

Four, God created us to have relationships. Having someone you can be real and honest with is extremely important in exchanging undesirable habits. Talk with that person and ask them to keep you answerable regarding your desired change. Get them to raise questions about your progress in making your change when you two talk or meet.

At Last, practice! Hebrews 5:14, points out to us that mature Christians are those whose faculties have been trained by practice to do distinguish good from evil. Establish a practice that exercises the good replacement. Remember -- It took time to ingrain your bad habit, so it will take time to replace it. Is there some habit or behavior that you keep struggling with and constantly grumble about it?

I bet you are ready to change your bad habits with right ones.

Michael Young M.Ed. Coach/Counselor. Michael has written and published articles and books on mastering time, perspective of money, improving relationships. To talk with Michael Click here Christian Life Coaching Life Coaching - Complimentary Session Click here Life Coaching Session

Tags: habit, signals, greed, affiliation, remainder, bad habits, hearts, happiness, good habits, behavior patterns, parents and grandparents, generations