When we’re facing stuff in our lives, things that make us feel trapped, overwhelmed or ashamed, we don’t have to let it carry on. We can take action. That can be easier said than done. Change and freedom can seem like an impossibility. When we’ve felt trapped by something for a long time, it can end up feeling like it’s part of us. The enemy wants us to feel overwhelmed and hopeless about our situation, but God doesn’t want us to feel like that. In Him, we already have the victory. We’re not overcome by our problems, because God’s already overcome them. ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NIV). Even though it can be really hard to remember that, we know we can rely on God’s strength to fight through whatever we’re facing. God can help us to overcome the things that are trapping us, He can give us freedom, but we’ve got to come to the place of deciding that we don’t want to stay trapped anymore. And sometimes we have to take practical steps such as applying for something new, seeing a counsellor or distancing ourselves from temptations. We have to change things, otherwise nothing will change. And when it feels like too big a task, we only need to think one day at a time. Jesus said, ‘Don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time’ (Matthew 6:34 TLB). We can remember that God’s right there with us helping us through, and He’s faithful. ‘Great is his faithfulness; his lovingkindness begins afresh each day…therefore I will hope in him’ (Lamentations 3:21-24 TLB).

What Now?

If you’re feeling trapped by something today, why not make the decision to talk to your pastor/youth leader and ask them to pray for you.