Sometimes we can find ourselves stuck in a bad habit, or trapped by life-controlling issues such as anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm or something else. But Jesus doesn’t want us to live like this. In fact, He said: ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10 NIV). He wants to set us free. ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:31-32 NIV). The key to finding freedom is held within this verse. It’s truth that sets us free. And we can find that truth by staying in His Word. When we keep ourselves immersed in the Bible, we’re filling our minds with the truth. If we choose to read His Word, rather than watch something we know we probably shouldn’t, we’re helping ourselves find freedom. When we speak His Words out loud to ourselves in the morning, instead of filling our minds with other people’s social media posts, we’re helping ourselves find freedom. But it’s not just knowing what the Bible says, it’s putting it into practice. Take this verse: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God’ (Philippians 4:6 NIV). It’s one thing reading it and filling our minds with it. But unless we put it into practice and give everything over to God in every situation, how can we actually find the freedom from anxiety that the Bible promises? We won’t always succeed in this, we’ll still struggle sometimes, and we’ll still forget the truth of His Word – we’re human after all. But let’s chase a life of freedom, it’s what Jesus promises us.
