The Christian Habits Podcast

Have you ever wondered: "I've been a Christian for years… why am I still struggling with this?" Maybe there's a habit you can't seem to break. Or an emotion that keeps showing up—anxiety, anger, insecurity, envy, or discouragement. Many of us want to change, but we're not sure how. And sometimes we even know how to renew our minds—but we can't seem to make ourselves do it consistently. In this short episode, I introduce a brand new 4-part YouTube series called How to Renew Your Mind So You Can Actually Change. In the series, I explain what renewing the mind really means and share practical tools you can use to partner with God for real change. If you'd like to watch the first video in the series, you can find it on YouTube by searching: "Barb Raveling renew your mind." Over the next few weeks, I also invite you to join me in a simple renewing-your-mind project. Choose one area of your life where you'd like to see change—an emotion, a habit, or a situation that keeps upsetting you—and begin noticing the thoughts that go through your mind when that struggle appears. When the emotion rises or the urge for the habit shows up, pause and ask yourself: "What am I thinking right now?" That awareness is the first step in renewing your mind. New videos in the series will release each Saturday, and I hope you'll follow along as we learn to partner with God for transformation.

What if clutter isn't just about having too much stuff—but about what's quietly pulling us away from the things that matter most to us? In today's episode, I visit with Joshua Becker, bestselling author and founder of Becoming Minimalist, about how clutter affects our lives and our faith. We explore why change feels so hard, how clutter quietly distracts us from spiritual growth, and why Jesus' teachings on possessions are an invitation—not a burden. If you've ever felt stuck, distracted, or weighed down by "too much"—this conversation you and give you practical next steps.

Do you ever feel like you're trying to love someone well—but it doesn't seem to be working? Maybe you're putting in effort, but the other person still feels distant, unappreciated, or unexcited about the relationship. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Gary Chapman about why that happens, how love languages go deeper than we often realize, and what actually helps people feel truly loved. Gary gives practical advice for improving all types of relationships.

Have you ever felt like change just isn't possible for you? In this episode, we talk about the lie "I'll never change"—why it feels so true, where it comes from, and what the Bible says instead. We'll explore how God brings transformation gradually, why slow progress still matters, and how to stay hopeful when growth feels frustrating. This episode is for anyone who's tired of trying, discouraged by past failure, or quietly wondering if this is just how life will always be. You'll also have a change to renew your mind about this lie while you're listening to the podcast through Scripture meditation, truth journaling, and the Hopelessness questions from the Renewing of the Mind Project.

If you've ever started a new year full of hope only to feel discouraged weeks later, this episode is for you. We unpack the belief "this year will be different," why it usually doesn't work, and what actually helps change stick. You'll hear practical ideas, spiritual perspective, and encouragement for taking a slower, wiser, and more grace-filled approach to your goals this year. Full show notes and links at barbraveling.com.

If you've ever thought "it shouldn't be this hard to change," this episode will encourage you. In today's episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, we'll look at where this lie comes from, why real change feels so difficult, and what the Bible says about transformation. I'll also walk you through practical questions you can use to renew your mind and find hope in your struggle.

Do you ever feel like your desires are calling the shots in your daily decisions? In this episode, we tackle the lie: "I want this… so I should have it." We'll look at why desire can't be your decision-maker, how culture feeds this mindset, and what Scripture says about living by design instead of impulse. As you listen, you'll have a chance to renew your mind and learn practical ways to say no to the habits that keep pulling you off track.

Do you ever set goals and fail to reach them? On today's podcast, we'll discuss ten tips to help you achieve your goals. I've asked my friend and fellow podcaster/author, Dr. Melanie Wilson, to help me with this episode as she is the master at completing goals! I also share about my new course on how to overcome procrastination. You can find out more about that here: How to Stop Procrastinating Course. Tips to Help You Achieve Your Goals Develop a routine. Make it easy. Make a plan for dealing with obstacles. Find ways to make it fun Keep your why in front of you. Let go of perfectionism. Be a good coach to yourself. Renew your mind when necessary. Gain support. Conquer procrastination. Resources We Talked About on the Podcast Barb's Conquer Procrastination Course: barbraveling.com/procrastinate Melanie's blog: homeschoolsanity.com Melanie's podcast: The Homeschool Sanity Show Melanie's book: A Year of Living Productively Freedom from Procrastination