The Key to the Future You Wantනියැදිය

THE POWER OF CONSISTENCY

Greatness isn’t made in a moment—it’s built through consistency.

Once isn’t enough. Most of us have tried something that was a good idea but not stuck with it for long. The most common New Year's resolutions are to read more, eat better, exercise, save more, and spend more time with family, which are all great ideas. However, if they only last a week, our lives won't be impacted.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are we. A single workout won’t make you fit, just like one dessert won’t make you unhealthy. But repeated actions create long-term results. Pastor Duane Vander Klok says it this way, “We overestimate what happens in the short term but we underestimate the power of consistency in the long run.”

These Biblical principles affect every part of our lives. My friend Ronzie shared a story of surprise as non-Christians were sharing with him biblical principles in his health journey. In a desire to lose weight, he joined a program called Noom. He said, “It teaches you how to recognize your mental state when experiencing cravings and reshape your habits.” Which sounded better than a crash diet that wouldn’t last. The revelation of how little thought he put into his eating came quickly. As he went through the program (with great success - 70 pounds lost), he said they were just applying Biblical principles to his eating. He said he was just renewing his mind and the way he thought about food, and putting off the old self and its desires. As he meditated on the principles, he changed his habits, and his habits changed his life. (Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:8-10; Eph. 4:21-32; Gal. 6:9)

Overnight success sounds good, but it isn’t what it seems. Success can be recognized in a moment, but it’s built with consistency. An overnight success is when thousands of hours of preparation meet with a moment of opportunity. The boxer Muhammad Ali said it this way, “The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road; long before I dance under those lights.” Greatness isn’t made overnight, it's made when consistent actions shape, prepare, and create opportunity.

Daniel in the Bible is a prime example of the power of consistent habits. Jerusalem (where Daniel lived) was besieged and sacked by Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was carried away to Babylon and conscripted into the king's service. Yet he chose to be full of character in a time with plenty of available excuses and pressure to conform. He refused to compromise his worship and devotion to God. He rose in influence under 3 different kings. In Daniel 6:4-5, jealous leaders wanted his position but couldn’t find any dirt on him, for he was faithful and no error or fault was found in him. They determined that only by outlawing his faith could they trap him. His faith was visible and consistent before it was illegal. When the pressure came from the law they passed against prayer, his habit stood strong even against the threat of being thrown in a lion’s den. His habit allowed him to stay consistent even when things became difficult. His consistency left him with confidence, and God saw him through the lion's den. His faithfulness touched kings and impacted nations.

What habits mark us? Are our habits preparing us for the life we want or stopping us from getting there?