Learn how God can multiply even your smallest grace-filled habits.
“Here is a boy with five small loaves of barley bread. He also has two small fish. But how far will that go in such a large crowd?” John 6:9
The crowd grumbled about their hunger, and everyone’s patience was wearing thin. Jesus made eye contact with a boy holding the bread and fish and offered a smile of confidence.
Motioning for the people to sit down, he called the boy over.
The young boy loosened his grip on his meal and handed the food to Jesus. Such a meager offer. Again, that smile lifted the corner of Jesus’ lips as he gazed upon the boy.
Jesus took the small lunch sacrificed by the boy, lifted it up, and prayed to the Father, “Thank you for providing for us! Bless this meal.”
Quickly transitioning, Jesus began distributing bread and fish to all those around him. Walking up and down the rows of people, serving each person until all had been fed. The hungry grumbles now became sighs of contentment.
The Multiplier of Small
Reading the account in John chapter 6, we see that the need that day was great, about 5,000 hungry men.
The young boy had only a small sacrifice to bring to Jesus. Jesus, The Multiplier of Small, took what was offered, and there was food to spare.
The loaves and fish stories in the Bible are perfect examples of Jesus’ multiplying power. But, those aren’t the only examples.
Jesus taught that if a person has faith as tiny as a mustard seed, God can strengthen that enough to move a mountain! God’s multiplying power is seen throughout Scripture, and it can show up in our lives, too.
When we feel maxed out, we can offer our small habits to God and watch Him work.
Grace-Filled Habits
I coach my clients to develop what I call Grace-Filled Habits. These are small habits offered to God. They are formed, fueled, and multiplied by God.
When we feel maxed out, we can offer our small habits to God and watch Him work.
Sometimes, the smallness of our habits may feel absurd, just like five loaves of bread and two fish feeding a huge crowd. But let’s never underestimate how God can work through our small offerings.
How to Get Started
Dear friend, just as the crowd experienced a very real need in John 6, you have a need. You need a daily filling of God and all He has to offer. Your need may feel immediate, or it may feel daunting. But, however big it may feel, God has the solution.
By inviting God into your need and your process, you are offering your habits to God for His power to work, just as Jesus offered the small lunch to the Father for His blessing.
Friend, let’s invite God in to guide and bless your new habits.
Imagine holding your faith habits up to God as you pray these words: God, you know everything about me: my unique ways, my needs, my fears, and my hopes. I ask you to guide me in the habits you would have for me this season. And, I ask that you would take the small habits I offer up to you, and multiply them as only you can do. Increase my faith this season, through every second I offer up to you. Father, thank you for loving me, guiding me, and strengthening my faith through my new habits. Amen!
Next, consider what has worked for you in the past and what has not worked. Are you most alert and focused in the morning? Do you get distracted while trying to read Bible plans on your phone? Is there a certain place in your home that is most conducive for your habits to happen? Has setting a timer provided a good boundary or an expectation causing pressure?
Now, spend some time brainstorming ideas for habits that are small enough that they don’t cause you panic, fear, or push back. And, they also could lead to more growth in the future. I’ll share some ideas to get you started.
Reading habits examples include:
– Read the verse of the day on a calendar or the Bible App.
– Read the Bible for 5 minutes.
Prayer habits examples include:
– Pray for someone you know you will be seeing that day.
– Pray for one minute.
Journaling habits examples include:
– Write out one Bible verse and write one sentence you sense God saying to you.
– Write 1-3 things you can thank God for that day.
Your Turn
Your turn! It’s time to start! The lunch never would have been multiplied if the young boy hadn’t offered it to Jesus. He couldn’t keep it to himself and see God’s power on display.
So, friend, it’s your turn.
Pick one, yes, just one, of the habits above. Or, create one yourself. Keep it small and simple.
1. Write down your habit on a notecard or sticky note and place it someplace visible.
2. Prepare for your habit. What do you need to get ready? Create a space and time for your habit to occur.
3. Now, start! Today or tomorrow, begin your new habit.
4. Notice if the habit you are offering to God ever multiplies. Does your one chapter of reading lead to two? Does your one-minute prayer, lead to 3 minutes?
5. Notice other ways in which your habit multiplies. What fruit is coming from your obedience to complete your habit day after day?
As you practice your new habit, notice how you feel on the days you complete it.
Completing habits increases the feel-good chemical in your brain, dopamine. This chemical helps lead you to complete more habits.
Jesus, The Multiplier of Small, uses our unique chemistry to reward us as we abide in Him. In other words, as you stay close to God with your habits, there will be multiplying evidence of Jesus in your life.
Friend, for an added layer of motivation, ask someone to join in establishing a new faith habit. If no one is ready to join you just yet, remember that your friend, Jesus, is in this with you. He’s cheering you on. Smiling as you make attempts to abide with Him. Jesus is proud of the spiritual strength you gain each time you complete your habit.
Lisa Ostreim is a Certified Revelation Wellness Instructor from Platoon 28. She is a wife, homeschool mom, author, and podcaster. Lisa is passionate about helping to set others free. You can find her here: Instagram. Also, learn more about developing habits the simple way on her podcast, Simple Steps for the Whole You. If you would like a free resource for moms desiring to create prayer habits, click this link: Prayer Habits for Moms.
2 Responses
This was affirmation of my new daily habit of spending time in the Word each morning when I get up. It was a boost of encouragement to continue, as it’s such a temptation to allow other things to creep in. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing! Yes, those hours or minutes are never wasted!