5-Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental HealthSample

Put the Old Stuff Behind

You know that first chilly day of the season when you pull out the sweatpants you haven’t worn in months because it’s been too warm, only to realize they’re way too short? You’ve grown, and those sweats no longer fit you.

Living with Jesus also helps us grow—not our bodies, but our hearts and souls. In the process, some things don’t fit us well anymore—like friendships that are no longer healthy, habits that don’t serve us well, or a grudge against someone that’s not worth holding on to. Jesus gives us the freedom to put all that old stuff behind us, to get rid of it, and to move into new things, better things, friendships and activities, and emotions that fit us way better. Just like you can clean out your closet to get rid of clothes that no longer fit, you can clean out your life by pitching what you’ve spiritually outgrown. When you do, you’ll find yourself as a new creation, better and freer than ever.

Take a few minutes to consider who you hang out with, the activities you do, and your daily eating, sleeping, and viewing habits, and see if there’s anything that doesn’t fit the life Jesus offers you. If so, take a step to pitch it—delete an app, unfollow the “friend” who always puts you down, throw away the food that hurts your stomach, et cetera.