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7 Things to Quit Doing in the New Year to Hear God

By January 8, 2025No Comments4 min read

I recently heard 7 Things to Quit to Hear God by CS Lewis. It stopped me in my tracks, and I have continued to think about these 7 things for several days. Perhaps there is something in here for you today that is worth your attention as you enter the New Year. 7 Things to Quit to create more space for your relationship with God:

  1. Quit pouring yourself into things that add zero value to your life. Not everything that’s placed in front of you deserves your attention – news, gossip, social media, movie. Ask: Does this activity draw me closer to God? “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” (pursue those things, spend time in front of those things) Philippians 4:8.
  2. Quit hanging out with the wrong people. Slowly over time, hanging out with people who promote negativity can negatively impact your own character and moral compass. Ask: Do the people I choose to hang out with draw me closer to God or push me away? “Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33. This is not to negate witnessing the love of God to people, this is an invitation to discern your own spiritual wellbeing as it is influenced by people you choose to hang out with.
  3. Quit criticizing and judging others. How much of your day includes judgement/criticism of self and others? You can’t give out what you have not mastered within. Allow the love of God to help you remember your own worth and value. This acceptance of self in God’s love and grace will help eliminate judgement and criticism of others. Ask: When I am judging and criticizing others, can I hear the voice of God in my life? “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you too will be judged, and the measure you use will be measuring to you.” Matthew 7:1-2. 
  4. Quit magnifying what is going wrong. Whatever you focus on grows bigger. When you magnify undesirable events bigger than God’s sovereignty and ability to guide you through life, you render yourself vulnerable to fear, self-doubt and worry. Ask: If 9 great things are happening in your life and 1 undesirable thing, what do you focus on? “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all (including yourself). The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.” Philippians 4:4-7
  5. Quit overdoing it. We live in a culture that is hijacked by the hustle. Our identity and worth are often measured by how successful we are at getting everything done on our to-do list. We lack discernment when it comes to our time, attention and focus, leading to overwhelm and stress. At the sunset of this life perhaps we will wish we did less and gave ourselves permission to be present to God and the people we love as we embrace the gift of the moments that align with what we value most. Ask: Do I put my doing and accomplishing above my relationship with God? “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
  6. Quit people pleasing. The disease to please hijacks our ability to say no. Overcommitting can rob us of precious time and attention to create space for God in our lives. Ask: How does my desire to please people get in my way of being obedient to God and putting Him first in my life? “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I still trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
  7. Quit over thinking. Over thinking happens when we forget that God has our back in life. So, we cling to our own reasoning, desperately trying to figure out why things happen as they do and how things will turn out. This habit of over thinking leads to doubt and resisting the promptings of the Holy Spirit as we analyze and question rather than trust in the One who calls us forth: Come, follow me. Ask: Can I authentically pray: Jesus, I trust in you, you take care of everything, including my over thinking and needing to figure things out today? “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Take Action:

Reflect on the 7 things to quit doing, by CS Lewis. Which one is the Holy Spirit prompting you to bring to the manger? “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm and don’t allow yourself to be burdened by the yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1. God desires for you to remove all distractions as you move into a new year so that you hear, with more clarity, His voice behind you saying: “this is the way…walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying: “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Listen to the Edge God In Podcast: 7 Things to Quit Doing from CS Lewis

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