Stop Doing These 4 Things If You Want Lasting Change

We love to overcomplicate things—especially when we're trying to make a lasting change in our lives. But in reality, the road to healing and holiness is paved with a commitment to small, simple steps.

Want a better marriage? A deeper prayer life? Better health? Freedom from a bad habit? Don’t overthink it. What is the simplest step toward your goal? And why aren’t you taking it yet?

In this reflection, I outline four things holding you back from living the life God intended for you...and the small, incremental steps you can take to break free from stagnation in any area of your life.

1. Pride: “If it were that simple, I’d have done it already.”
2. Desire: Sometimes we don’t really want to change.
3. Distraction: We stay too busy to make room for change.
4. Fear: The simple step feels too hard, so we avoid it.

You probably already know what you have to do, and you just need to create and live out some simple rules for yourself to get there.

Stop looking at things from 30,000 feet. Ask God for help. And step out in faith today to take that first, simple step on the journey to transformation.

———

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Which of the four—pride, desire, distraction, or fear—do you struggle with most right now? What’s one small, concrete step you can take this week to defeat it?

2. Can you think of a time when a simple act of obedience or discipline led to real change in your life? What helped you take that first step?

3. Where are you overcomplicating your relationship with God? How might returning to something simple—like daily prayer, Scripture, or confession—help restore peace?

4. St. Benedict changed the world with a “simple rule of life.” What’s one simple rule or habit you could commit to that would draw you closer to holiness?

5. Naaman almost missed his miracle because he thought God’s command was too simple. Is there an area in your life where God might be calling you to trust and act, even if it seems too easy or small?

———

✉️ Sign up for Chris’s Daily Anchor for free daily encouragement: https://mailchi.mp/reallifecatholic/daily-anchor-landing-page-20

Help us transform hearts for Jesus! Join the mission as a monthly donor (a Missionary of Joy): https://moj.reallifecatholic.com/

Come on Pilgrimage and Retreat with me in Assisi! https://canterburypilgrimages.com/1226