Changing Habits-10 Dollar Challenge
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” – John 8:34
“I don’t like being late,” my friend lamented. “This has been a problem for me my whole life.”
“Do you really want to change it?” I asked
“yes I do.”
“Okay. Every time you’re late to work or anywhere else you promised to be at a certain time, you have to give me $25.”
“No way!” My friend replied. “I’ll be ruined! But I’ll make $10.”
“Okay, it’s $10. That should be a big enough sum to hurt your pocketbook.”
“Trust me, it’ll hurt,” my friend said. After about a month my friend got great motivation to reach everywhere on time where she had to go. In the first week I got only 10 dollars from my friend. Next week, $20. Third week, nothing. By the fifth week, my friend had changed a lifelong habit that had been hindering her throughout her life. To prevent my friend from getting angry with me for the money I had to give, we put it in a jar to give to some other Christian cause. This ensured that my intentions were only for her best interests.
Some people may be reading this now and say this is legalism. For my friend, this was freedom. For the first time he had a means of changing the behavior that was causing problems in his relationships and his own work habits. Psychologists say that it takes 21 days to form a habit. So, if you have to change a habit, you have to actively engage in that new behavior for at least 21 days. My friend needed help changing a habit she didn’t like. He needed someone else to hold him accountable, and the potential loss of something to provide additional incentive.
A successful businessman was experiencing a difficult marriage. While counseling a couple over dinner one night, a friend of mine noticed that the man often criticized his wife. After further consultation it was determined that the man could not love his wife. My friend asked him if he really wanted to see change in his marriage. When the man said he did this, my friend said, “You have to agree to pay me $100 every time you criticize your wife.” This person was well off and needed enough encouragement to change his behavior. After the man rebelled and responded, he agreed with his wife. A few weeks later there was a report that things were changing. This man didn’t want to write any checks to my friend. Although it was a competitive sport for the man, it was also bringing some positive changes in his marriage. He started getting into the habit of avoiding his wife’s criticism, which was killing his soul.
What are the habits that keep you from becoming all that God wants you to be? Do you want change so much that you are held accountable in a way that will cost you if you fail? Ask a friend to hold you accountable in an area that needs change. You will find new freedom as you overcome old troublesome habits.
