From Distant to Devoted: 7 Habits That Changed Everything

I didn’t grow up with a strong relationship with God. For a long time, faith wasn’t really part of my everyday life, not in a personal way, at least. I had no spiritual habits, no prayer life, no idea what it meant to walk closely with God. And truthfully, I didn’t think I needed to.

But when I finally gave my life to Jesus, everything began to shift.

Not all at once. It was slow and often messy. But over time, I started to notice certain habits drawing me closer to Him. Habits that brought peace into the chaos. Habits that helped me let go of fear, anxiety, and the pressure to prove myself. Habits that are still changing me today.

These aren’t rules or rituals to check off a list. They’re simple rhythms that help me stay rooted in truth, even on the hard days. And if they’ve helped me, I believe they can help you too.

Here are 7 habits that have transformed my walk with Jesus and can do the same for you.

1. Starting the Day with God

Instead of reaching for my phone or jumping straight into to-do lists, I began setting aside a few quiet minutes with God each morning. Most mornings I read Scripture, and pray, sometimes I just sit in silence.

It doesn’t have to be long or perfect, but spending your mornings with God shapes your day in the best way possible.

Even 5 minutes can shift your mindset from anxious to anchored.

2. Reading the Bible (Even When I Don’t Feel Like It)

At first, the Bible felt overwhelming to me. I didn’t know where to start or how to make sense of it. But I kept showing up, reading a few verses at a time, underlining what stood out, writing little prayers in the margins. Over time, I began to hear God’s voice more clearly through His Word.

You don’t need to understand everything or follow a strict plan (although a plan can help take the pressure off choosing what to read each day). Just open the Bible and begin. Start with a short verse or even a psalm.

Let God meet you there.

3. Praying Honestly (Not Just Formally)

For a long time, I approached prayer like a checklist. I felt like I had to include certain things to do it “right.” And if I couldn’t pray properly or fully, I wouldn’t pray at all.

But it’s very rare to have all the perfect words or the perfect setting. What I’ve come to learn is that prayer isn’t about performance. Sometimes, all I can manage is two words: “Help me.” And that is enough.

God isn’t looking for perfect prayers. He just wants you to reach out. Talk to Him like you would a trusted friend. Whether it’s a simple “thank You” in the middle of your day or a tearful plea in the middle of the night. He’s there. He’s listening.

God doesn’t want polished words, He wants your heart.

4. Resting Without Guilt

Slowing down used to make me feel lazy or unproductive. I thought rest was something you earned only after ticking everything off your to-do list. But when I began spending more time with God, I realized how deeply spiritual rest is.

Sabbath rest, quiet mornings, walks in nature. Moments like these became sacred. They reminded me that my worth isn’t in how much I do, but in who I belong to.

Maybe you struggle to slow down too. The world tells us to hustle harder, but God invites us to rest. Start by carving out a small space in your week (an afternoon or even an hour) where you unplug and breathe. You’ll find that rest isn’t a waste of time.

It’s where your soul catches up with God.

5. Listening to Worship Music

Worship music has been one of the most enjoyable things in my faith journey. There were days when I didn’t know what to pray, when reading the Bible felt like too much, so I just played worship music and let the lyrics speak for me and to me.

Some songs have carried me through anxiety, heartbreak, and loneliness. They reminded me who God is and gently pulled my heart back to Jesus. It’s a nice way to come to the end of yourself without doing anything except raising your hands and singing (terribly in my case).

If you’re feeling spiritually demotivated or distant, try starting with a worship playlist. You don’t need the perfect mood or setting, just a willing heart.

6. Practicing Gratitude

For a long time, I focused on everything that was going wrong. I didn’t realize how much that mindset was feeding my anxiety and discontentment. But when I started intentionally thanking Jesus for small things, like a quiet morning, a warm cup of tea, or a verse that spoke to me, something shifted.

Gratitude doesn’t change your circumstances, but it does change your perspective.

You can start simple: write down three things you’re grateful for each day. Or pause during your day to say “thank You, Jesus.” The more you look for God’s goodness, the more clearly you begin to see it.

7. Memorizing Scripture

When I first started following Jesus, my thoughts were often filled with fear, anxiety, and old ways of thinking. But God began to renew my mind, and one of the ways He did that was through Scripture memorization.

Again, I started small: writing down a verse that spoke to me on a post-it and sticking it on my bathroom mirror. I began reading it each day until it stuck. Over time, I started to add more to my mirror and even my fridge. Those verses became truths that I could hold on to.

You don’t have to memorize entire chapters. Just start with one verse that speaks to what you’re going through. Keep it somewhere visible (on your phone lock screen, mirror, or journal) and let God use it to steadily reshape the way you think.

It won’t be long before you see how His Word can literally change your mind.

Final Thoughts: The Spiritual Why

These habits aren’t about being a “better Christian.” They’re about staying close to the One who changes everything.

And I’m still growing and still learning. But these rhythms have helped me build a faith that’s personal, steady, and full of grace. If you’re feeling far from God or unsure of where to begin, maybe just start with one of these habits.

God meets us in the smallest of steps. He always has.

Which of these habits speaks to you most right now? I’d love to hear from you.