Teachers are creatures of habit—from our parking spots to our seats in the teacher’s lounge. While habits can be comforting, if we aren’t careful, we can get so busy during the school year that we barely even notice when we slowly drift into negative patterns. 

The new year is a good time to evaluate, refresh, and reset both our external and internal habits. For guidance and encouragement, we can look to God’s Word as we strive to replace our behaviors that lead to less-than-attractive demeanors and ungodly thinking patterns with those that make us look more like Jesus.

Replace CARELESS SPEECH with EDIFYING WORDS

“Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Eph. 4:29, NLT).

Replace NEGATIVITY with GRATITUDE

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thes. 5:16–19).

Replace FEAR with TRUST

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

Replace SELF-SUFFICIENCY with RELIANCE ON GOD

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his spirit” (Eph. 3:16).

Charlene Mahon, a Christian Educators member, has over two decades of middle-school teaching experience, including many years of co-teaching.