Overcoming Unhealthy Habits - Integrity

Overcoming Unhealthy Habits


...your word is you...you are your word


"Johnny, I want you to take the trash out now." "OK, mom, I will." Two hours later mom walks by the trash and it still sits there. "Johnny, I asked you two hours ago to take out the trash, get up and do it now." "OK, mom, I will in just a minute..." Two hours later...trash still hasn't been removed.
 
"I'm going to get this job done for you in the next 24 hours." "Ok, that's great, as it's really important." Two days later, the job isn't done. The frustration compounds.
 
"Tomorrow I'm going to start eating healthy," we say to ourselves. Two weeks later, oops, it never happened.
 
"I'll be there at 2:00pm to pick you up." "Ok." "Where are you, it's 2:30pm?" "Oh, sorry, I was running late and then an important call came in and then traffic...I'm on my way."
 
"I ordered this product but can I pay for it later?" All these scenarios and many more play out every day; adding frustration,devaluation, and disrespect. They steal time and energy from us because of the lack integrity to keep our word. We might not think of keeping our word as an unhealthy habit; more commonly we think in terms of our physical well-being.
 
However, integrity, is a life habit that propels you to success or defeat: Physically. Spiritually. Relationally. Professionally. Emotionally. Look at these synonyms for integrity to see why this is an important value to have in our lives. character, decency, goodness, honesty, morality, righteousness, rightness, uprightness, virtue, virtuousness. Likewise, when we take a peek at the antonyms we see why we don't want to land up in that column. badness, evil, evildoing, immorality, iniquity, sin, villainy, wickedness.
 
James 1:6b-8 "...the ambivalent person believes one minute and doubts the next. Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You're up one minute and tossed down the next. When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you're in that condition?"
 
  • Do we keep our word to ourselves?
  • Do we keep our word to others?
  • Do we keep our word to God?
  • Can we be counted on to do what we said we would do?
Ouch, right? There's room for improvement in all of these areas. It used to be if someone gave you their word it was as good as money in the bank. Today, that's not true. You need a document drawn up by a legal team and even then someone will look for a loophole to get out of keeping their word.
 
What can we do to swing the pendulum in the right direction? Self-examination
1. Catch ourselves in the act.
2. Give ourselves a consequence that "stings" so we'll remember next time.
3. When someone calls you on it, don't get defensive. Own up to your lack of integrity and immediately rectify it, if at all possible.
4. Train yourself by making a chart of your promises or word to another. Check off each thing as its completed in the time frame you committed to.
 
Why is this important? If we will discipline ourselves we won't have to pay the consequences that come from lacking integrity with ourselves, God and others. Our children, grandchildren and others begin to see us as a person of integrity, one who can be trusted or counted on to come through for them. Lacking integrity leaves a bad taste in their mouths and causes them to take you with a grain of salt. Apologies won't do anymore because they're not sincere and only add to the hypocrisy of who you say you are. So, keeping our word to ourselves, to God, to others is key to overcoming unhealthy life habits no matter what area it involves.
 
One of my favorite Psalms talks about those who get to live and dwell in God's presence. One of their attributes is: they make firm commitments and follow through, even at great cost." (15:4b)
 
In other words, no matter what it costs you personally, you do whatever it takes to keep your word, to be found integral. One who can be counted on...your word is you...you are your word. Enjoy a healthy life free from guilt, shame, remorse...keep your word. Be God-like. He keeps His word. Keep your word. Dwell in His presence where His peace, His joy and His presence reigns.
 
Judy Bauer
 

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