What if the next 40 days could change the way you feel, the way you spend your time, the way you take care of yourself, and most importantly, the way you walk with the Lord?

I don’t mean becoming perfect.

I don’t mean suddenly having the perfectly organized home, the perfect morning routine, the perfect prayer life, or the perfect body.

I mean becoming more intentional about the woman God created you to be.

As Christian women, I think it’s easy to get caught up in trying to become a “better version” of ourselves. But I don’t really want to become the best version of me.

I want to become more like Christ.

And sometimes that happens through the simplest, most ordinary things we do every day.

Opening our Bibles.

Praying.

Getting enough sleep.

Moving our bodies.

Eating nourishing food.

Putting our phones away.

Spending time with the people we love.

Serving someone who needs us.

Taking our thoughts captive.

These small habits may not seem particularly spiritual on their own, but together they can help create a life that is more intentional, peaceful, and centered on Christ.

So I want to invite you to join me for a 40-day Christian challenge.

Not a challenge about perfection.

A challenge about direction.

Why 40 Days?

I love that we’re talking about 40 days because the number forty shows up repeatedly throughout Scripture during significant periods of testing, preparation, repentance, transition, and God’s work in people’s lives.

Noah experienced 40 days of rain.

Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai.

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

Jonah gave Nineveh 40 days to repent.

Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry.

And after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples over a period of 40 days before His ascension.

The number 40 isn’t a magical formula, and Scripture doesn’t tell us that 40 days is required to create a new habit.

But I love the picture it gives us.

A season of intentionally seeking God.

A season of preparation.

A season of testing.

A season of growth.

And that’s what I want these next 40 days to be.

A chance to get back to the basics.

To slow down.

To be intentional.

And to ask the Lord:

“Who are You calling me to become?”

This Isn’t About Becoming Perfect

Before we get into these 15 habits, I want to make something really clear.

This isn’t a list of 15 things you have to do perfectly for 40 consecutive days.

It’s not another checklist that’s going to make you feel guilty when you miss a day.

Because I don’t want this to become legalistic.

Instead, think of these habits as simple ways to create rhythms that point your heart back toward God.

James Clear’s work on habits has made the idea of small, consistent actions incredibly popular, and one of the concepts I love is that our habits can reinforce the identity we’re becoming.

And I think there’s a beautiful connection for us as Christian women.

We’re not simply trying to build better habits so we can become more productive.

We’re practicing habits that help us live more intentionally as women who belong to Christ.

So let’s get started.

1. Read Your Bible Every Day

If I want to become more like Christ, I need to know Christ.

And I get to know Him through His Word.

That doesn’t mean you need to spend an hour every morning studying your Bible.

Right now, my own system is pretty simple.

I read a short chapter during breakfast.

Then, if we’re not at a soccer game or have other plans, I’ll read a little bit after dinner and before bed.

That evening time has become one of my favorite ways to wind down.

And I’ve found that having a place for my Bible and journal makes a difference.

I don’t have to think about where everything is.

It’s there.

I also like having a reading plan or devotional so I don’t have to wake up every morning and decide what I’m going to read.

I just open it and begin.

Colossians 3:16 tells us to let the Word of Christ dwell richly within us.

That’s such a beautiful picture.

We’re not simply checking “Bible reading” off our list.

We’re allowing God’s Word to dwell in us.

And I have found that this one habit affects so many other areas of my life.

When I spend time in God’s Word, I’m more likely to pray.

I’m more likely to remember what is true.

I’m more likely to respond instead of react.

I’m more likely to notice when my thoughts are going in the wrong direction.

What we put into our minds matters.

So during these 40 days, make God’s Word a priority.

Keep your Bible somewhere visible.

Have a plan.

Start small if you need to.

But just begin.

2. Wake Up With Enough Time Not to Rush

I don’t want to wake up already feeling behind.

I want enough time to actually live my morning.

For me, that means knowing how long I need to get ready, get dressed, eat breakfast, sit with God’s Word, maybe switch over a load of laundry, and get out the door on time.

And one of the best things I’ve learned is to work backward.

If I need to leave the house at 7:30, I don’t want to wake up at 7:00 and hope for the best.

I think about how long each part of my morning actually takes.

Then I work backward.

And that often means some of the preparation happens the night before.

Clothes laid out.

Kitchen cleaned.

Lunch prepared.

Things gathered by the door.

Phone plugged in.

The morning gets easier when the night before has been intentional.

And sleep matters, too. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is one of the CDC’s recommendations for better sleep.

So this habit isn’t really about “waking up earlier.”

It’s about creating enough margin to start your day peacefully.

3. Be Intentional About What You Listen To

This one is simple:

Pay attention to what you’re feeding your mind.

For me, that often means Christian radio, worship music, Christian podcasts, sermons, and encouraging messages.

I’m not saying every single thing you listen to has to be explicitly Christian.

But I do think we should occasionally stop and ask:

“What is all of this doing to my mind?”

Philippians 4:8 gives us a beautiful filter for our thoughts. We are told to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

What we repeatedly consume can influence what we dwell on.

So during this 40-day challenge, become a little more intentional about what you’re allowing into your mind.

Because what goes in eventually comes out.

4. Spend Time in Prayer

Prayer doesn’t have to happen in one perfect, quiet hour every morning.

I pray before I even get out of bed.

I pray in the car.

I pray throughout the day.

And one of my favorite things is taking a prayer walk.

I’ll walk and just check in with the Lord.

I’ll reflect on my day.

I’ll pray about my family.

I’ll think about what’s coming tomorrow.

I’ll ask Him what He has for me.

And sometimes I’ll notice a thought that has been pushing its way into my mind that doesn’t line up with God’s Word.

That’s a good opportunity to stop and take that thought captive.

Prayer isn’t simply something we do when we need something.

It’s how we cultivate an ongoing relationship with God.

So during these 40 days, don’t make prayer complicated.

Talk to God.

Throughout your day.

About everything.

5. Spend Quality Time With Family and Friends

Put your phone away.

And I don’t mean putting it face down on the table.

Put it in another room.

Sit around the table.

Talk.

Laugh.

Ask questions.

Listen.

Be present.

In a world where we’re constantly connected to everyone through our phones, I think one of the most loving things we can do is give someone our undivided attention.

Have dinner together.

Invite someone over.

Go for a walk with a friend.

Sit on the back porch.

Call someone you’ve been meaning to call.

And when you’re with them, actually be there.

6. Gather With Other Believers

If you’re not connected to other believers right now, I want to encourage you to find a place to start.

Maybe it’s a Bible study.

Maybe it’s a women’s group.

Maybe it’s your church.

Maybe it’s a small group.

And if you’ve tried something before and it wasn’t the right fit, don’t give up.

I’ve been in Bible studies that I finished and thought, “Well, that just wasn’t really for me.”

And I’ve been in others that completely uplifted and encouraged me in ways that I know only the Lord could have orchestrated.

So don’t give up on Christian community.

If church hasn’t felt like home, try getting involved.

Join a group.

Volunteer.

Introduce yourself.

Walk in with an open mind.

Or maybe visit another church.

Hebrews reminds believers not to give up meeting together and encouraging one another.

We need one another.

And sometimes the encouragement we need is waiting on the other side of simply showing up.

7. Exercise 4–5 Days a Week

This is one of my personal priorities.

And I’m not exercising because I hate my body.

I’m exercising because I want to take care of the body God has given me.

For me, that means a combination of strength training and cardio.

You don’t have to do the same thing.

Walk.

Lift weights.

Ride a bike.

Swim.

Take an exercise class.

Play a sport.

Just move your body.

Current physical activity guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activity at least two days per week. The CDC also emphasizes that some physical activity is better than none.

So don’t let the perfect workout keep you from doing something.

Take care of your body.

You only get one.

8. Drink More Water

Okay, coffee lovers.

Don’t come for me.

I love coffee, too.

I like cold water first thing.

And then I try to stay hydrated throughout the day.

You’ve probably heard the “half your body weight in ounces” rule. I personally like using that as a simple goal, but it’s not a universal medical requirement. Fluid needs vary from person to person depending on things like activity, climate, diet, and other factors.

So don’t turn hydration into another number that makes you feel guilty.

Just make water a priority.

Start your day with it.

Carry a water bottle.

Keep water where you can see it.

And pay attention to how you feel when you’re adequately hydrated.

9. Start Reading Again

When was the last time you read a book simply because you wanted to?

If it’s been a while, this is your invitation.

And it doesn’t have to be a book about productivity or self-improvement.

I love Christian fiction.

Karen Kingsbury.

Francine Rivers.

Kristy Cambron.

Rena Bell Yeager.

I love going to my local library and checking books out for free.

There’s something so refreshing about sitting down with a good book instead of picking up your phone.

And again, it comes back to the question:

What are you putting into your mind?

Choose things that encourage you.

Challenge you.

Teach you.

Make you think.

Point you toward what is good.

10. Look for the Person Who Feels Left Out

This might be one of my favorite habits on this list.

Look around.

Who is sitting alone?

Who needs encouragement?

Who could use a meal?

Who needs a friend?

Who could use someone to show up?

And then do something.

Even if it’s inconvenient.

Even if it’s not on the clock.

Even if it’s not in your job description.

Even if nobody is going to notice.

Because sometimes being the hands and feet of Jesus looks incredibly ordinary.

It looks like noticing.

It looks like serving.

It looks like making the phone call.

It looks like taking the meal.

It looks like sitting beside someone who feels alone.

It looks like being a light in the darkness.

This is one area where I think the Proverbs 31 woman gives us such a beautiful example.

She wasn’t consumed with herself.

She worked.

She served.

She cared for others.

She looked beyond herself.

That’s the kind of woman I want to become.

11. Make Time for Your Husband

If you’re married, don’t let your relationship become nothing more than logistics.

Who’s picking up what?

What’s for dinner?

Who’s going where?

What’s on the calendar?

Make time to actually talk.

And it doesn’t have to be an elaborate date night.

Sit on the back porch.

Take a walk.

Go for a drive.

Take a Jeep ride.

Sit together after dinner.

Ask silly questions.

Or ask:

“What’s been the best part of your day?”

“What’s been the hardest part?”

“How can I pray for you?”

Sometimes we think we need more time together when what we really need is more intentional time together.

A few minutes of meaningful conversation can go a long way.

12. Eat Healthy Meals That Nourish Your Body

This isn’t a diet challenge.

I don’t want you spending the next 40 days obsessing over food.

I want you to think about stewardship.

God gave you a body.

How can you take care of it?

For me, that means focusing on real, nourishing foods.

Fruits.

Vegetables.

Whole grains.

Protein.

Healthy fats.

Beans and lentils.

Foods that actually give my body something useful.

But healthy eating doesn’t mean never eating dessert.

It doesn’t mean never having a cookie.

It doesn’t mean you have to eat perfectly.

It means developing a healthy pattern.

Balance. Consistency. Stewardship.

13. Use a Planner or Calendar

Write your life down.

I love a paper calendar hanging on the refrigerator.

My mom always had one, and I’ve always had one, too.

I also use Google Calendar on my phone.

There’s nothing wrong with using technology.

But there’s something about seeing our week physically laid out in front of us that I really enjoy.

Appointments.

Soccer games.

Work.

Church.

Bible study.

Dinner.

Family commitments.

Everything.

But here’s the part I want to add to this habit:

Don’t just ask,

“What do I need to put on my calendar?”

Ask,

“Lord, what do You want on my calendar?”

And then ask:

“What do You want me to take off?”

Because sometimes becoming more intentional isn’t about adding another thing.

Sometimes it’s about letting something go.

14. Get Ready for Your Day

Take a shower.

Get dressed.

Do your hair.

Put on clothes that make you feel good.

Get ready for the day you’re actually going to have.

No, this isn’t about looking perfect.

It’s not about vanity.

And it’s certainly not about comparing yourself to anyone else.

It’s about intention.

Proverbs 31 describes a woman who is prepared, diligent, strong, and dignified.

And I think there’s something powerful about physically getting ready to show up for the work God has given us that day.

Whether you’re working outside the home, working from home, raising children, homemaking, retired, or in another season altogether, you can still get dressed with intention.

Your day is worth showing up for.

15. Take Every Thought Captive

This may be one of the most important habits on the entire list.

Because our thoughts matter.

The thought that says:

“I’m not good enough.”

“I’ll never change.”

“Everyone else has it together.”

“I’m failing.”

“Why even bother?”

We don’t have to believe every thought that enters our minds.

Second Corinthians 10:5 talks about taking thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ.

So when a negative or untrue thought comes into your mind, stop.

Ask:

Is this true?

Does this line up with God’s Word?

Is this how God sees me?

What does Scripture say instead?

Write the thought down if you need to.

Then replace it with truth.

This is part of what Romans 12:2 means when it talks about the renewing of our minds.

Becoming a different woman begins with allowing God to transform the way we think.

Your 40-Day Christian Challenge

So here is my challenge for you.

For the next 40 days, choose to practice these habits.

Not perfectly.

Intentionally.

Read your Bible.

Pray.

Move your body.

Drink water.

Eat nourishing food.

Get enough sleep.

Be intentional about what you’re listening to.

Spend time with your family.

Invest in your marriage.

Gather with other believers.

Read something encouraging.

Serve someone.

Plan your days.

Get ready for the day.

And take your thoughts captive.

You may miss a day.

That’s okay.

Don’t quit because you weren’t perfect.

Just begin again.

Because this isn’t about checking every box.

It’s about changing the direction of your life.

And that’s one thing I love about the idea of habits.

Small things compound.

A few minutes in God’s Word.

A short prayer.

A walk around the neighborhood.

A healthy meal.

Putting your phone away during dinner.

Getting to bed on time.

Calling a friend.

Sitting with your husband.

Helping someone who needs you.

None of those things feel particularly life-changing in the moment.

But imagine doing them again and again.

Imagine what kind of woman you could become.

And here’s the most important part:

We’re not doing these things so we can become the best version of ourselves.

We’re doing them so we can become more like Christ.

That’s the goal.

Become the Woman God Created You to Be

I don’t know what season you’re in right now.

Maybe you’re exhausted.

Maybe you’re overwhelmed.

Maybe you’re starting over.

Maybe your children are growing up.

Maybe your schedule has completely changed.

Maybe you’ve been neglecting yourself.

Maybe you’ve been neglecting your relationship with God.

Or maybe things are actually going pretty well, but you know there’s still room to grow.

Wherever you are, you can start today.

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life.

You don’t have to wait for Monday.

You don’t need a new planner.

You don’t need a perfect morning routine.

You don’t need more motivation.

You can simply take the next right step.

Open your Bible.

Drink the water.

Go for the walk.

Make the healthy meal.

Put your phone away.

Call your friend.

Pray with your husband.

Serve the person who needs you.

Take that thought captive.

And then do it again tomorrow.

Because maybe the woman you’re praying to become isn’t created in one giant transformation.

Maybe she’s built through thousands of small, faithful decisions.

One day at a time.

One habit at a time.

One prayer at a time.

One choice at a time.

And over these next 40 days, my prayer is that we won’t simply become more productive women.

Or more organized women.

Or healthier women.

Or more disciplined women.

But that we would become more faithful women.

Women who know God’s Word.

Women who seek Him in prayer.

Women who care for what He’s entrusted to them.

Women who love their families well.

Women who serve others.

Women who guard their minds.

Women who live with purpose.

Women who are becoming more and more like Christ.

So, are you in?

Forty days.

Let’s get back to the basics.

Let’s be intentional.

Let’s seek the Lord.

And let’s become more like the women He created us to be.

What is the ONE habit you’re going to start working on during these 40 days?

I’d love to hear it in the comments.