Turning God Into A Habit
Turning God Into a Habit
Kingdom Corner Podcast — Reading Room
Episode Length: 14:27
Series: Kingdom Corner Reading Room
Book: Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
Episode Overview
In today’s Kingdom Corner Reading Room, Matt continues exploring the transformative themes in Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer.
This episode focuses on the powerful idea of training our minds to continually return to God throughout the day. Drawing from historic Christian voices, neuroscience, and Scripture, we explore how spiritual habits shape the direction of our hearts.
Through simple practices and intentional attention, it is possible to cultivate a life where God becomes the natural resting place of our thoughts.
Key Question
When your mind has a quiet moment…
Where does it go?
- To worries?
- To fears?
- To distractions?
Or does it return to God's presence?
Main Themes From This Episode
1. The Undirected Mind Drifts Toward Chaos
Psychology calls it psychic entropy—the mind naturally drifts toward disorder unless intentionally directed.
But the good news is:
Our minds can be retrained.
2. The Ancient Practice of God's Presence
A humble 17th-century monk, Brother Lawrence, discovered that God could be experienced in the ordinary moments of life.
While working in a noisy kitchen he said:
“The time of business does not differ from the time of prayer.”
His life became a living example of practicing God's presence in everyday work.
3. Habits Shape the Soul
Christian writer Dallas Willard explained:
“The first and most basic thing we can and must do is to keep God before our minds.”
By intentionally directing our attention toward God, new spiritual habits form.
Eventually the mind begins to return to God naturally—like a compass needle returning north.
4. The Science of Spiritual Formation
Neuroscience confirms what spiritual masters long taught.
Psychologist Donald Hebb summarized it this way:
“Neurons that fire together wire together.”
Repeated attention reshapes the brain.
The more we turn our minds toward God, the more natural it becomes.
5. What Our Habits Reveal
As Comer writes:
Show me a person's habits and I will show you what they love most.
Habits reveal:
- What we value
- What we prioritize
- What we truly worship
And ultimately…
Who we are becoming.
Practical Spiritual Practice
Begin retraining your mind with simple moments of awareness throughout the day:
- When you wake up
- While waiting in line
- Sitting at a red light
- After sending an email
- Before going to sleep
In those brief moments, simply turn your attention to God.
Over time, this becomes a spiritual reflex.
Encouragement for the Journey
Early attempts may feel difficult.
You may forget often.
That’s normal.
But with practice, something beautiful begins to happen:
Your mind slowly learns to return home to God.
Eventually, thinking of God becomes as natural as breathing.
Memorable Quotes From the Episode
“Through habit you can co-create with Jesus a mind that is fixed on God all through the day.”
“Show me a person's habits, and I will show you who they will become.”
“The more you pray, the more you think to pray.”
Scripture Reflections
- Psalm 16:8 — “I have set the Lord always before me.”
- Colossians 3:2 — “Set your mind on things above.”
Featured Book
Practicing the Way: Be With Jesus. Become Like Him. Do As He Did.
by John Mark Comer
A powerful guide to developing rhythms that help followers of Jesus live intentionally in His presence.
Next Episode
In the next Reading Room episode:
“I Look at Him, He Looks at Me, and We Are Happy.”
A beautiful reflection on the joy of simply gazing upon Christ and being loved by Him.
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Be blessed, friends.
