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    Resource Details

    A Faith That Counters My Bad Habits

    Rick Warren | April 5, 2020

    When you’re under stress, one of the things that can happen is you start looking for coping strategies to ease your anxiety. Unfortunately, many of those methods of coping end up making things worse. In this message, Pastor Rick Warren continues our study of the book of James by offering nine “counter moves” for overcoming the bad habits that tempt you.

    Message Action Plan

    Message Action Plan

    Three Essential Questions

    After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.

    • What did you hear?What point in this message was most impactful for you?
    • What do you think?How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
    • What will you do?How will you put into practice what you've learned today?

    ACTION PLAN:If you are not in a small group,visitsaddleback.com/onlinegroupsto get connected!

    "Never blame God when you are tempted because God can't be tempted by evil, and he never tempts anyone to do the wrong thing. We are tempted by our own desires inside us. That's what drags us in the wrong direction and traps us. Our wrong desires lead us to wrong actions, and those sinful actions eventually ends in death. So, friends, don't be deceived by every desire you feel."   James 1:13-16

    WE ARE NOT POWERLESS

    "Everyone who is a child of God CAN overcome sin in this world. What wins the victory is our faith! No one can defeat the world's ways without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God." 1 John 5:4-5

    9 COUNTER MOVES

    1.  KNOW MY DEFAULT COPING STRATEGY

    "We should remove from our lives anything that gets in the way (of our spiritual growth) especially those persistent sins that so easily distract us. . ." Hebrews 12:1

    Food… Drinking… Sleep… Shopping… Binge TV… Gaming… Drugs…
    Gambling… Porn… Over-controlling… Withdrawing… Angry Outbursts

    2.  KNOW MY EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS (What Makes Me Vulnerable).

    "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." Prov. 4:23

    Physically Exhausted. . . Discouraged & Pessimistic. . . Bored or Discontented Spiritually Dry or Empty. . . Lonely or Disconnected. . . Insecure or Unsure. . .
     Wounded or hurt. . .  Resentful. . . Sad or Grieving a loss. . .

    • LEARN MY PATTERNS

    "The wise man looks ahead. A fool tries to fool himself and won't face facts."Proverbs 14:8 (LB) 

    • WHEN am I most tempted?
    • WHERE am I most tempted?
    • WHO is with me when I'm most tempted?
    • WHAT temporary benefit do I get if I give in?
    • HOW do I feel right before I'm tempted?

    ACTION PLAN:In your quiet time this week, take some time to think through points one through three. Write down or tell a friend how you cope, what triggers you and what patterns you see in yourself.

    4.  PLAN TO AVOID THOSE SITUATIONS!      

    "Plan carefully what you do. . . Avoid evil and walk straight ahead.
     Don't go one step off the right way." Proverbs 4:26-27 (TEV)

    5.  ASK GOD FOR HELP

    "Call to me when trouble comes and I will save you. . ."  Psalm 50:15 (TEV)

    "(Jesus) understands our weaknesses, for he faced the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to. . . our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and grace to help us when we need it."  Hebrews 4:15-16
                                                                                                                       
    ACTION PLAN:Pause right now and ask God to give you the strength and ability to move towards Him in times of temptation. This prayer doesn't have to be long and eloquent. We can cry out to God knowing that He is sympathetic to our pain and weaknesses!

    6.  REFOCUS MY ATTENTION ON SOMETHING ELSE

    "Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good." Romans 12:21 (GW)

    "We capture every thought. . . and we make it obey Christ!"  2 Cor. 10:5 (NCV)
         
    7.  JOIN A SMALL GROUP FOR SUPPORT

    "Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage each other all the more." Hebrews 10:25 (TEV) 

    8.  ENLIST ONE FRIEND TO SHARE MY STRUGGLE

    "Two are better than one, because together. . . if one falls down, the other can help him up.  But if someone is alone and falls. . . there's no one to help him."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (TEV)

    "By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ."Galatians 6:2 (NCV)

    9.  REMEMBER GOD IS ON MY SIDE!

    "When temptations come into your life remember that they're no different from what others commonly experience. And God is faithful. He will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Also when you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will be able to withstand it."  1 Cor. 10:13

    "God blesses people who continue strong when they are tempted. They will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."   James 1:12

    ACTION PLAN:Take the following steps this week.

    • We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ.Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or emailnewstart@saddleback.com
    • We express our gratitude to God through our giving.Saddleback.com/give
    • We meet online in small groups for support. Text SMALLGROUP (1 word) to 83000 or emailSaddleback.com/onlinegroups
    • For prayer: Text PRAYER to 83000 or emailprayer@saddleback.com

    Do you need help? Do you want to give help?

    To receive or give help please click below
    https://saddleback.com/coronaresponse

    Sign up to receive updates via text
    Text CoronaResponse to 83000

    More from this series

    More from this series

    A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t
    March 15 - November 8, 2020
    • When Your Plan Doesn’t Match God’s Plan
      November 8, 2020
    • Having The Mind Of Christ During An Election
      November 1, 2020
    • A Faith That Can Heal Illnesses
      October 25, 2020
    • A Faith That Can Transform Weaknesses
      October 18, 2020
    • A Faith Known For Integrity
      October 11, 2020
    • A Faith That Helps Me See The Truth
      October 4, 2020
    • A Faith That Handles Wealth Wisely
      September 27, 2020
    • A Faith That Doesn’t Need To Hoard
      September 20, 2020
    • A Faith That Knows The End Of The Story
      September 13, 2020
    • A Faith That Passes The Tests Of Life
      September 6, 2020
    • A Faith That Doesn't Hold On To Hurt
      August 30, 2020
    • A Faith That Reduces Quarreling
      August 23, 2020
    • A Faith for Facing an Uncertain Future
      August 16, 2020
    • A Faith That Keeps Me From Playing God In The Lives Of Others
      August 9, 2020
    • A Faith That Keeps Me Hopeful
      August 2, 2020
    • A Faith That Makes Me More Merciful & Less Judgmental
      July 26, 2020
    • A Faith That Helps Me Filter What I Say
      July 19, 2020
    • A Faith That Handles Delays Patiently
      June 27, 2020
    • A Faith That De-Escalates Conflict
      June 21, 2020
    • A Faith That Plants Seeds Of Peace
      June 7, 2020
    • Real Faith Versus Fake Faith
      May 31, 2020
    • A Faith That Loves My Neighbor As Myself
      May 24, 2020
    • A Faith That Leads To Emotional Health: Part 2
      May 10, 2020
    • A Faith That Leads To Emotional Health: Part 1
      May 3, 2020
    • A Faith That Anchors Me In Storms
      April 19, 2020
    • A Faith That Counters My Bad Habits
      April 5, 2020
    • A Faith That Makes Tough Choices Easier
      March 29, 2020
    • A Faith That Isn’t Troubled by Troubles
      March 22, 2020
    • A Faith That Walks Through the Valley of Virus
      March 15, 2020
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