5 GODLY habits I wish I knew in my 20’s (Video)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10
If I could go back and talk to my 20-year-old self, there’s a lot I would say. Back then, I was ambitious, driven, and focused on success—but I didn’t always seek God first.
I was married young, had my daughter early, and pushed myself to be the best father and provider. But looking back, I can see where I missed the mark spiritually. I only picked up my Bible when life got tough, I treated prayer like a backup plan, and I constantly put off fully committing to God.
If you’re in your 20s (or really, any age), these are the five godly habits I wish I had learned sooner.
1. Read the Bible—Not Just When Life Gets Hard
In my 20s, I only opened the Bible when I was struggling. I wasn’t searching for God’s wisdom—I was searching for a quick fix.
But here’s the truth:
💡 You can’t plan your future if you don’t know what God created you for.
📖 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
I wish I had found a Bible translation that was easy to understand and committed to truly studying the Word, not just reading it when I needed something from God.
✅ Action Step: Find a translation you connect with (ESV, NIV, NLT) and set a goal to study the Bible, not just skim it.
2. Pray—Always & in Every Circumstance
One thing I got right? I always prayed.
But I had to learn that prayer isn’t just about asking God for things—it’s about thanking Him, trusting Him, and staying connected to Him.
📖 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
There were times when I struggled financially, when I couldn't find a job after college, or when I had to take my daughter to graduate school with me because I couldn't afford a babysitter. I learned to pray and give thanks in every situation.
📖 Romans 8:28 – "And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."
✅ Action Step: Make prayer a daily habit—not just when life is hard, but also when life is good. Talk to God throughout your day.
3. Your Past Does Not Define You—God Does
I’ve made mistakes. A lot of them. And for a long time, I let those mistakes define me. I carried shame and guilt, believing that my sins somehow disqualified me from God’s love.
But here’s what I wish I knew:
📖 2 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
God’s forgiveness is complete. When we give our lives to Christ, our past no longer has power over us.
✅ Action Step: Let go of shame. Accept God's forgiveness and walk in the freedom He has given you.
4. Love Your Neighbor—Even When It’s Hard
This one is still tough for me. Loving others—especially those who have hurt you—is not easy.
📖 John 13:35 – "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
But love is not just a feeling—it's an action. It means serving, forgiving, and putting others before yourself.
✅ Action Step: Start small—show kindness, offer forgiveness, and look for ways to serve those around you.
5. Commit to God NOW—Not Later
I used to think I had all the time in the world. I thought, "I’ll get serious about my faith once I have more money, once my marriage is perfect, once life slows down."
But then, I lost friends and family who didn’t even make it to their 40s.
📖 James 4:14 – "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
The biggest regret I have is waiting so long to fully commit to God.
✅ Action Step: Don’t wait. Surrender everything to God today.
Final Thoughts
To my younger self—and to anyone reading this:
Don’t wait until life gets tough to seek God.
Pray constantly, in every situation.
Your past doesn’t define you—God does.
Love people, even when it’s hard.
Commit to God now—because tomorrow is not promised.
I wish I had known these things in my 20s. But now, at 44, I know God’s timing is always perfect.
Let’s live every day for Him.
What’s one habit you wish you had learned earlier? Let me know in the comments!
God bless,
Thomas
