Practice and repetition. These are keys to improving in whatever endeavor we choose to pursue. Whether it’s playing a musical instrument, flying an airplane, teaching in a classroom, learning to speak a foreign language, excelling in a sport, performing surgery, public speaking, or myriad other things, we become better at whatever we’re doing through practice and repetition.
For me it’s included writing, typing, taking photographs, and mentoring other men. I mention typing because when I took a personal typing class during my junior year of high school, I could never have imagined that proficiency at the keyboard would become an important aspect of my long career as a journalist, author and editor.
I’d like to say it has also been playing the drums, which I enjoy doing (but not particularly well). Looking back, I wish I’d invested more practice and repetition to develop my drumming skills. Alas, the best I’ll ever get at this stage of my life is playing in the privacy of my own home – and with the tolerant blessing of my wife.
There can also be a downside to practice and repetition. The more we do certain things, the better we get at doing them – even if they are counterproductive, even destructive things. For instance, some folks have spent much of their lives with negative self-talk, and they’ve become very good at it. ‘I’m a loser. I’ll never amount to anything. What’s the use of trying? I’ll never be able to succeed.’
The Bible admonishes us, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment” (Romans 12:3). This not only warns us against going on a lengthy ego trip but also encourages us to view ourselves and our abilities realistically. No one has ever achieved victory by harboring a defeatist attitude.
Similarly, these days we see lots of people – on social media, in the news, in public places, even in our own homes – who through much practice and repetition have become experts at being angry, bitter and vindictive. These antagonistic feelings might be directed toward a parent or sibling, ex-spouse, former friend, even politicians, other public figures or sports teams. Sometimes these negative emotions become life-controlling. But not in an instant; they were developed and nurtured over time.
The Bible, in its timeless, practical way, speaks to this: “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15). If you’ve done any gardening, you’ve observed some weeds form very deep roots and are hard to get rid of. In the same way, a “root of bitterness” nurtured over time can sink deeply into our psyches and make us miserable – and everyone around us.
Habits fall into the same category. Through practice and repetition, we can excel at things like exercise, eating properly, getting enough sleep, helping others, spiritual disciplines, and many other pursuits. But we can also become “good at” harmful habits such as excessive drinking, gambling, undisciplined spending, displaying fits of anger, indulging in online pornography, overeating, and lots of other stuff.
It’s a simple fact: The more we do of anything, the better we get at doing it. Even if it’s bad.
So, how should we respond? We’ve all had behaviors and habits we knew were wrong, that filled us with regret whenever we did them. Part of the solution is striving to do those things less and replacing them with things that are good.
This is why the apostle Paul urged believers in ancient Philippi, along with followers of Christ through the centuries since, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice…” (Philippians 4:8-9).
One remedy for someone who has become very good at dwelling on the negative is to put just as much effort – even more – into focusing on positive, uplifting, productive things.
Scripture is abundantly clear that we’re saved by faith, through God’s grace and mercy, and not by anything that we do. However, to experience a healthy, thriving life with the Lord often requires that we learn to reorient our thinking. Paul addressed this in another of his letters, instructing us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
I like the way the J.B. Phillips translation of this verse states it: “Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within….”
