True Grit: Holding On When Life Feels Impossible

Sometimes life throws things at us that knock the wind out of our lungs. For me, that happened really young. I grew up in a Christian home, went to church every Sunday, and gave my life to Jesus at seven. But knowing God was real didn’t stop me from facing trauma, bullying, and eventually an eating disorder that nearly cost me my life.

At 15, I was diagnosed with anorexia. It wasn’t just about food — it was about lies I’d believed for years. Lies that said I wasn’t lovable. That I was the “black sheep.” That I had to earn love by being perfect. Those lies grew louder and louder until they almost drowned out everything else.

Even though I was reading my Bible regularly, prayer felt impossible. I was convinced God was disgusted with me. The enemy was winning, and my world was shrinking by the day.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned: recovery takes grit. And not just the everyday kind of grit people talk about — I’m talking about true grit, the kind that’s rooted in God’s truth.

The Foundation of Truth

In John 8:44, Jesus calls the devil the “father of lies.” That’s his playbook — lies that twist our identity, make us doubt God’s love, and keep us stuck.

The only way to fight lies is with truth. That’s why having a firm foundation in God matters so much. Scripture, prayer, worship — they aren’t just “Christian habits,” they’re lifelines. They’re how we build up enough of God’s truth in us to notice when lies creep in.

I had to start getting tough with myself. The Bible says to “take every thought captive,” and for me, that meant actively calling out the lies I’d believed for years and replacing them with truth.

It wasn’t a one-time thing. It was daily. Sometimes hourly. But it was grit.

The Grit to Step Into Freedom

Here’s the second part: true grit isn’t just about resisting lies — it’s also about daring to believe in freedom, even when it feels terrifying.

I once read about circus animals that stayed in their cages even when the doors were open. The cage had become familiar, even safe. Sometimes our struggles can feel like that, too. They’re painful, but at least they’re predictable. Freedom feels risky.

When I first prayed for full recovery, it felt impossible. Statistics said most people with anorexia never fully recover. But I told God, “I want to be in that small percentage who do.”

That was my giant. That was my leap of faith.

And let me tell you — freedom is scary at first. But it’s also worth it. Today, I’ve been fully recovered for over 10 years. Not because I was strong enough, but because I held on to God’s strength with everything I had.

Choosing Grit Daily

Here’s the truth: grit doesn’t end when the big struggle is over. I may not have an eating disorder anymore, but I still have to fight lies every day — about my worth, my identity, my future.

True grit means refusing to let your struggle define you. As Matt Chandler said:

“The more you identify with your struggle, the less you identify with Christ. The more you identify with Christ, the more victory you’ll have over your struggle.”

So let me ask you this:

• Do you actually know God’s truth about you, or just know about Him?

• Where could you step out of the cage and into the freedom Jesus has already won for you?

• What lies do you need to start calling out today?

Because here’s the good news — with Jesus, freedom is possible. And with a little true grit, you can step into it.

✨ If you’re struggling with mental health or faith right now, you’re not alone. Please reach out to someone you trust, a leader, or a friend. Don’t fight this battle on your own.